<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             472
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,350
<INVENTORY>                                     41,416
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               119,745
<PP&E>                                           9,319
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,594
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,420
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,397
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,420
<SALES>                                        181,970
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192,389
<CGS>                                          125,454
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,910
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,515
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,079
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                       474
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                926
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       926
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42