<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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         806
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  19,043
<ALLOWANCES>                                   8,139
<INVENTORY>                                    32,401
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               61,009
<PP&E>                                         29,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0      
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 108,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          24,840
<BONDS>                                        9,110
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       71
<OTHER-SE>                                     40,690
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   108,659
<SALES>                                        36,983
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               36,983
<CGS>                                          30,408
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  30,408
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               6,333
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (488)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (107)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (381)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (381)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.05)