<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 389 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 38,257 <ALLOWANCES> 3,900 <INVENTORY> 44,522 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 87,881 <PP&E> 2,942 <DEPRECIATION> 3,369 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 91,076 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,335 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44 <OTHER-SE> 23,484 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 91,076 <SALES> 310,665 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 310,665 <CGS> 289,072 <TOTAL-COSTS> 289,072 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 23,505 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,649 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3,561) <INCOME-TAX> (750) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,811) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,811) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.64) <EPS-DILUTED> (.64)