<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consoliated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and
consolidated statements of cash flow found on pages 3, 5 and 6 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 27, 1997, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                              34
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,804
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,428
<INVENTORY>                                    150,084
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               261,320
<PP&E>                                         150,981
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,065
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 419,168
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,086
<BONDS>                                        220,359
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           108
<OTHER-SE>                                     110,669
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   419,168
<SALES>                                        370,633
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               370,633
<CGS>                                          305,674
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  305,674
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                33,728
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   585
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,957
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,274
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,702
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,572
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,572
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99