<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 4,659 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 107,766 <ALLOWANCES> 2,392 <INVENTORY> 249,342 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 377,985 <PP&E> 166,493 <DEPRECIATION> 75,355 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 819,726 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 327,595 <BONDS> 157,976 <COMMON> 178 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 273,343 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 819,726 <SALES> 574,391 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 574,391 <CGS> 484,653 <TOTAL-COSTS> 484,653 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 101 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,198 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30,723 <INCOME-TAX> 12,704 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,609 <DISCONTINUED> 2,015 <EXTRAORDINARY> (581) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,043 <EPS-BASIC> 1.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.27