<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                              10,040
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      233,488
<ALLOWANCES>                                        (3,752)
<INVENTORY>                                        197,224
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   467,777
<PP&E>                                             190,502
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (117,089)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     551,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              244,834
<BONDS>                                             59,690
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                         57,140
<COMMON>                                            18,986
<OTHER-SE>                                         155,153
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       551,950
<SALES>                                            771,566
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   772,376
<CGS>                                              583,791
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      749,129
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        69
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   6,516
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     16,662 
<INCOME-TAX>                                         7,262 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  9,400 
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         9,400 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .35 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .35