<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 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-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 1,928 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 39,049 <ALLOWANCES> 2,160 <INVENTORY> 43,079 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 83,734 <PP&E> 6,740 <DEPRECIATION> 1,994 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 123,663 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,530 <BONDS> 50,839 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6 <OTHER-SE> 46,187 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 123,663 <SALES> 286,847 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 286,847 <CGS> 223,268 <TOTAL-COSTS> 268,399 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 534 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,386 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,605 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,938 <INCOME-TAX> 5,676 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,262 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,262 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.46 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.43