<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 15,071 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,177 <ALLOWANCES> (734) <INVENTORY> 115,015 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 184,025 <PP&E> 99,339 <DEPRECIATION> (1,715) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 406,107 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 63,142 <BONDS> 174,612 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 132,253 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 406,107 <SALES> 306,677 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 308,312 <CGS> 256,744 <TOTAL-COSTS> 256,744 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 104 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,223 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9,674) <INCOME-TAX> 2,358 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (12,032) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (12,032) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0