<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           2,160
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  134,797
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,759
<INVENTORY>                                    185,807
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               336,177
<PP&E>                                         133,676
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,786
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 500,746
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          158,044
<BONDS>                                        341,508
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (3,259)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   500,746
<SALES>                                        448,085
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               448,085
<CGS>                                          340,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  340,913
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,440)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,579)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,861)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,861)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0