<ARTICLE> 5                                                 EXHIBIT 27
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                            JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                   20,477,816
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                           218,324,469
<ALLOWANCES>                             23,123,891
<INVENTORY>                             120,726,325
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        381,723,632
<PP&E>                                  132,359,252
<DEPRECIATION>                           73,494,942
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          574,424,754
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   291,157,426
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                  3,153,530
<OTHER-SE>                              254,617,351
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            574,424,754
<SALES>                                 400,763,899
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        400,763,899
<CGS>                                   173,188,356
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           173,188,356
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        192,177,413
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          2,383,294
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        3,951,112
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          27,480,787
<INCOME-TAX>                             12,459,503
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      15,021,284
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                             15,021,284
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .82