<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
corporation's quarterly report to shareholders and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           5,268
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  212,733
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,772)
<INVENTORY>                                    209,434
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               457,450
<PP&E>                                         191,381
<DEPRECIATION>                                (113,397)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 547,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          224,320
<BONDS>                                         85,760
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     57,167
<COMMON>                                        18,689
<OTHER-SE>                                     147,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   547,447
<SALES>                                        713,336
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               714,552
<CGS>                                          533,541
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  678,189
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   462
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,278
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,623
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,175
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,448
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,448
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70