UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1 )*

KENT ELECTRONICS CORP.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

490553104
(CUSIP Number)


Is a fee being paid with this statement: (   )Yes   ( X )No

*The remainder of this page shall be filled out for a 
reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect 
to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent 
amendment containing information which would alter the 
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page 
shall be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise 
subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but 
shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act 
(however, see the Notes).

13G
CUSIP No. 490553104

1.  Name of Reporting Person
    S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of above person
            STEIN ROE & FARNHAM INCORPORATED
            36-3447638

2.  Check the appropriate box if a member of a group
     (a) -----
     (b) -----

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  Citizenship or place of organization
            Delaware Corporation

Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person 
with
5.  Sole voting power                        61,100 shares

6.  Shared voting power                        -0-

7.  Sole dispositive power                1,233,900 shares

8.  Shared dispositive power                   -0-

9.  Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting 
person                                  1,233,900 shares

10. Check box if the aggregate amount in Row (9) excludes 
certain shares                            not applicable

11. Percent of class represented by amount in Row 9   4.65%

12. Type of Reporting Person                    IA

Item 1(a).  Name of Issuer:    KENT ELECTRONICS CORP.

Item 1(b).  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Office:
                  7433 Harwin Dr.
                  Houston, Texas  77036

Item 2(a).  Name of Person Filing:
                  Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated

Item 2(b).  Address of Principal Business Office:
                 One South Wacker Drive
                 Chicago, IL 60606

Item 2(c).  Citizenship:    Delaware Corporation

Item 2(d).  Title of Class of Securities:  Common Stock

Item 2(e).  CUSIP Number:   490553104

Item 3.  If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-
1(b), or 13d-2(b), check whether person filing is a:

         (e) [XX] Investment Adviser registered under 
Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Item 4.  Ownership:
         (a)  Amount beneficially owned:  1,233,900 shares

         (b)  Percent of Class:  4.65%

         (c)  Number of shares as to which such person has:

              (i)  sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
                                               52,000 shares
              (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the 
vote:                                                    -0-

              (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the 
disposition:                                1,233,900 shares

              (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the 
disposition:                                             -0-

Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class:
              This report is being filed to reflect 
beneficial ownership of less than 5% of the common stock.

Item 6.  Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of 
Another Person:
              Not Applicable

Item 7.  Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary 
which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent 
Holding Company:
              Not Applicable

Item 8.  Identification and Classification of Members of the 
Group:
             Not Applicable

Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group:
             Not Applicable

Item 10.  CERTIFICATION:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my 
knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above 
were acquired in the ordinary course of business and 
were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the 
effect of changing or influencing the control of the 
issuer of such securities and were not acquired in 
connection with or as a participant in any transaction 
having such purposes or effect.

SIGNATURE:  After reasonable inquiry and to the best of 
my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information 
set forth in this statement is true, complete and 
correct.

Date:  February 11, 1998

By:  /s/ Kenneth J. Kozanda
       Kenneth J. Kozanda
       Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer