<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTRIETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          19,864
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  291,875
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,300
<INVENTORY>                                     13,423
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               427,436
<PP&E>                                         201,762
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,865
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 735,486
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          182,932
<BONDS>                                        199,750
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,738
<OTHER-SE>                                     201,535
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   735,486
<SALES>                                      1,048,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,048,922
<CGS>                                          803,112
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  217,550
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,155
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,618
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,550
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (13,915)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (13,915)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.51)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.51)