<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997 <CASH> 10,187,923 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 51,801,481 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 57,358,289 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 123,138,180 <PP&E> 28,299,448 <DEPRECIATION> 11,838,197 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 166,496,488 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 48,958,124 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 909,925 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 115,625,481 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 166,496,488 <SALES> 443,350,957 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 443,350,957 <CGS> 396,434,570 <TOTAL-COSTS> 423,453,009 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 10,978 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 608,103 <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,886,935 <INCOME-TAX> 8,142,638 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,744,297 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,744,297 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 0