<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS FOUND ON PAGES THREE AND FOUR OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE
YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           6,816
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  266,203
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,863
<INVENTORY>                                    257,886
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               574,414
<PP&E>                                         242,468
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,791
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,019,589
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          185,848
<BONDS>                                        479,395
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           266
<OTHER-SE>                                     306,224
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,019,589
<SALES>                                        272,745
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               273,560
<CGS>                                          192,594
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  192,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   840
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,081
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,871
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,832
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,039
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,039
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57