<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
SUBURBAN OSTOMY SUPPLY CO
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
FOR QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                           2,202
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,477
<ALLOWANCES>                                       729
<INVENTORY>                                      8,140
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,124
<PP&E>                                           3,355
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  45,312
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,692
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,188
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    45,312
<SALES>                                         27,490
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                27,490
<CGS>                                           19,853
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,519
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    22
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  14
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,082
<INCOME-TAX>                                       969
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,113
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,113
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10