Zones in the black for 3Q

Although the third quarter is usually its most difficult, Renton, WA-based computer reseller Zones (Nasdaq: ZONS) managed to post a profit for the three months ended Sept. 30. Net earnings were $124,000, a turnaround from a net loss of $257,000 for the third quarter of 2001. And the bottom-line improvement came despite a 15% drop in revenue for the quarter, from $120.7 million a year ago to $102.4 million.