<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 5,039 <SECURITIES> 4,358 <RECEIVABLES> 51,144 <ALLOWANCES> (18,566) <INVENTORY> 175,862 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 187,839 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 449,251 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 145,909 <COMMON> 12,715 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 140,156 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 449,251 <SALES> 60,284 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 94,415 <CGS> 47,412 <TOTAL-COSTS> 66,619 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,441 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,743 <INCOME-PRETAX> (7,280) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,280) <DISCONTINUED> 699 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,581) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.72) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.72) <FN> NOTE: Total Current Assets and Total Current Liabilities are not applicable because Registrant does not present a classified balance sheet. 20