<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 49,185 <ALLOWANCES> 1,607 <INVENTORY> 37,717 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,859 <PP&E> 18,294 <DEPRECIATION> 8,753 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 110,193 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 33,389 <BONDS> 24,780 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 65 <OTHER-SE> 47,333 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 110,193 <SALES> 264,201 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 264,201 <CGS> 217,381 <TOTAL-COSTS> 217,381 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 545 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,291 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,475 <INCOME-TAX> 1,806 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,669 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,669 <EPS-PRIMARY> .41 <EPS-DILUTED> .41