<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JALATE, LTD.
BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS FILED IN JALATE, LTD.'S ANNUAL REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             170
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      443
<ALLOWANCES>                                       324
<INVENTORY>                                      4,812
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,302
<PP&E>                                           2,327
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,366
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   6,893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,071
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,311
<OTHER-SE>                                     (4,489)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     6,893
<SALES>                                         51,216
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,216
<CGS>                                           40,629
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,629
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   108
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 785
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,542)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,542)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,542)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.33)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.33)<F1>
<FN>
<F1>EPS amounts reflect FAS 128 computations.
</FN>