<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited financial statements dated September 30, 1999 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                    SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                              937,000
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                    16,243,000
<ALLOWANCES>                      1,074,000
<INVENTORY>                      21,511,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 37,910,000
<PP&E>                           24,492,000
<DEPRECIATION>                   15,655,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   47,364,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            44,004,000
<BONDS>                           1,437,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                             55,000
<OTHER-SE>                       (2,507,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     47,364,000
<SALES>                          34,592,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 34,592,000
<CGS>                            31,619,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     8,822,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    (68,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                1,908,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  (7,689,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                         91,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              (7,780,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                     (7,780,000)
<EPS-BASIC>                         (1.54)
<EPS-DILUTED>                         (1.54)

<FN>
*     Dollar amounts are based on conversion rate of 1,819 Lire to the Dollar
      which prevailed on September 30, 1999
</FN>