<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                               5,220
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      208,931
<ALLOWANCES>                                        (3,234)
<INVENTORY>                                        209,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   456,333
<PP&E>                                             187,628
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (114,693)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     540,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              219,189
<BONDS>                                             84,529
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                         57,167
<COMMON>                                            18,848
<OTHER-SE>                                         145,378
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       540,391
<SALES>                                            251,794
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   252,157
<CGS>                                              189,069
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      255,102
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      (350)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2,479
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     (5,074)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          (667)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 (4,407)
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        (4,407)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         (.28)