<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,120
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,525
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,698
<INVENTORY>                                     42,727
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,688
<PP&E>                                          10,075
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,695
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 135,361
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           81,951
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,233
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   135,361
<SALES>                                        190,520
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               200,496
<CGS>                                          130,255
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,211
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,236
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,582
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,236
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,049
<INCOME-TAX>                                       791
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,258
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,258
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57