<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001020017 <NAME> ALLSTAR SYSTEMS, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 229 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 16,876 <ALLOWANCES> (219) <INVENTORY> 4,862 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 22,684 <PP&E> 2,692 <DEPRECIATION> (1,048) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 24,720 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,393 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 27 <OTHER-SE> 4,327 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 24,720 <SALES> 120,359 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 120,359 <CGS> 104,302 <TOTAL-COSTS> 104,302 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,284 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,183 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,590 <INCOME-TAX> 987 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,603 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,603 <EPS-PRIMARY> .60 <EPS-DILUTED> .60