<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 10,389 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 71,709 <ALLOWANCES> (686) <INVENTORY> 129,727 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 218,973 <PP&E> 101,591 <DEPRECIATION> (59) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 440,070 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,714 <BONDS> 181,849 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 144,537 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 440,070 <SALES> 221,894 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 223,206 <CGS> 178,952 <TOTAL-COSTS> 178,952 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,661 <INCOME-PRETAX> (363) <INCOME-TAX> 3,242 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,605) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,605) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0