<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 10-Q 
     and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         1,065
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  26,726
<ALLOWANCES>                                   8,089
<INVENTORY>                                    39,994
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               73,337
<PP&E>                                         27,890
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 116,087
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          33,783
<BONDS>                                        10,095
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       71
<OTHER-SE>                                     43,928
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   116,087
<SALES>                                        45,095
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               45,095
<CGS>                                          37,138
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  37,138
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               7,083
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             843
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                29
<INCOME-TAX>                                   7
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            22
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   22
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .01