<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONDENSED CONOSLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED) OF SYSTEMAX INC. AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         12,263
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 181,411
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                   119,360
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              361,710
<PP&E>                                         73,530
<DEPRECIATION>                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                509,265
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         250,250
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             382
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                    258,633
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  509,265
<SALES>                                     1,264,637
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,264,637
<CGS>                                       1,104,343
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               1,104,343
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              204,933
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              2,973
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (47,452)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (16,133)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (31,319)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (31,319)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.91)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.91)