<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 4,614,818 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 48,487,476 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 60,192,060 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 117,276,570 <PP&E> 28,242,602 <DEPRECIATION> 11,302,145 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 161,884,183 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 48,579,510 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 909,925 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 111,391,790 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 161,884,183 <SALES> 274,021,888 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 274,021,888 <CGS> 245,324,688 <TOTAL-COSTS> 262,026,824 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (164,608) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 521,933 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,072,758 <INCOME-TAX> 4,938,462 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,134,296 <EPS-PRIMARY> .84 <EPS-DILUTED> 0