<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