<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,110
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,204
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,400
<INVENTORY>                                     42,275
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               118,957
<PP&E>                                           9,680
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,670
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,612
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,975
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,010
<SALES>                                        245,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               259,557
<CGS>                                          169,276
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  254,331
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,097
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,760
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,466
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,038
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,428
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,428
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65