WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>          5
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     12-MOS       
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1998       
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-01-1998       
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1998 
          
<CASH>                                           622,672       
<SECURITIES>                                           0          
<RECEIVABLES>                                 35,445,205       
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,321,903       
<INVENTORY>                                   60,758,976       
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             103,130,281       
<PP&E>                                        45,577,957       
<DEPRECIATION>                                 6,958,900       
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               190,666,341       
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         44,093,727       
<BONDS>                                       50,868,347       
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0       
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                         155,430       
<OTHER-SE>                                    94,824,039       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 190,666,341       
<SALES>                                      226,779,631       
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             226,779,631       
<CGS>                                        200,580,511       
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                200,580,511       
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              28,992,704       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             4,311,505       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (6,809,060)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (2,947,541)       
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            4,494,791)        
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0       
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0       
<CHANGES>                                              0       
<NET-INCOME>                                  (4,494,791)       
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      (0.31)              
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      (0.31)