<ARTICLE>     5
 
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the consolidated financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
 
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
 
 
       
                                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                     DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                        DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                          SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                                    16,076
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            353,772
<ALLOWANCES>                                             (10,850)
<INVENTORY>                                              264,781
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         693,977
<PP&E>                                                   135,047
<DEPRECIATION>                                           (66,560)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           950,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    300,572
<BONDS>                                                  188,274
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                     398
<OTHER-SE>                                               456,798
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             950,400
<SALES>                                                1,418,968
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       1,418,968
<CGS>                                                    978,979
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            978,979
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         409,912
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         8,556
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           27,197
<INCOME-TAX>                                              12,483
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       16,241
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                              16,241
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                               0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               0.39