<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <CASH> 18,663 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 320,140 <ALLOWANCES> 19,276 <INVENTORY> 288,052 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 632,957 <PP&E> 433,894 <DEPRECIATION> 135,288 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,288,631 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 153,675 <BONDS> 567,800 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 61,467 <OTHER-SE> 276,040 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,288,631 <SALES> 449,861 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 449,861 <CGS> 326,187 <TOTAL-COSTS> 326,187 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,530 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,089 <INCOME-PRETAX> 27,350 <INCOME-TAX> 10,291 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,059 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,059 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.27