<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