<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
QUARTER 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,695
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,472
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     88,185
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               171,927
<PP&E>                                          72,125
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,792
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 270,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,394
<BONDS>                                         62,294
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,158
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,509
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   270,462
<SALES>                                        108,046
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               108,046
<CGS>                                           97,141
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   97,141
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 902
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,107
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,365
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,742
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,742
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31