<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 54,662 <ALLOWANCES> 1,702 <INVENTORY> 50,238 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 113,142 <PP&E> 23,249 <DEPRECIATION> 9,548 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 134,940 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 41,126 <BONDS> 40,078 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 65 <OTHER-SE> 48,946 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 134,940 <SALES> 103,388 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 103,388 <CGS> 85,085 <TOTAL-COSTS> 85,085 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 113 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 750 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,867 <INCOME-TAX> 762 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,105 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,105 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> .17