<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                      11,219,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               86,398,000<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                109,652,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           236,686,000
<PP&E>                                     164,626,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              30,638,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             484,235,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       98,497,000
<BONDS>                                    162,883,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       32,900,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     9,822,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 142,312,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               152,134,000
<SALES>                                    126,429,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           126,429,000
<CGS>                                       86,285,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              120,756,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                53,000<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,771,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,849,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   997,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,852,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,490,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   $ 0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   $ 0.18
<FN>
<F1>Net of allowance for doubtful accounts.
<F2>Includes equity in income of other operations to be disposed of,
 ( $ 272,000).
</FN>