<ARTICLE> 5                                                 EXHIBIT 27
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                            MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                   18,386,143
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                           176,079,899
<ALLOWANCES>                             20,902,914
<INVENTORY>                             122,869,950
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        342,787,766
<PP&E>                                  130,692,939
<DEPRECIATION>                           70,933,379
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          532,765,279
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   241,300,038
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                  3,153,530
<OTHER-SE>                              263,645,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            532,765,279
<SALES>                                 183,039,727
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        183,039,727
<CGS>                                    78,092,565
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            78,092,565
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         94,389,720
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            162,317
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        1,846,058
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           7,749,342
<INCOME-TAX>                              3,679,010
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       4,070,332
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                              4,070,332
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .22