<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and
consolidated statements of cash flows found on pages 3, 4 and 5 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 29, 1997, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                              40
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,974
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,151
<INVENTORY>                                    147,647
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               229,458
<PP&E>                                         143,225
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,433
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 385,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,202
<BONDS>                                        207,495
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           106
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,685
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   385,471
<SALES>                                        113,763
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,763
<CGS>                                           95,057
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   95,057
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,664
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   180
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,344
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,698
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,047
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,651
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,651
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16