<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-30-1997
<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>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0