<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FORTE COMPUTER EASY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FROM THE DATE OF INCEPTION (JUNE 19, 1996) TO
DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-19-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         964,062
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                6,741,694
<ALLOWANCES>                                   439,000
<INVENTORY>                                 10,971,144
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,366,051
<PP&E>                                      14,285,159
<DEPRECIATION>                                 321,315
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              40,568,891
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,190,317
<BONDS>                                     17,532,570
<COMMON>                                       486,058
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     10,000
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,605,504
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                40,568,891
<SALES>                                     25,248,908
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                       19,026,604
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,059,868
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,546
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             755,758
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,401,089
<INCOME-TAX>                                   640,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            761,089
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   761,089
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0