<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS FILED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          43,757
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  296,045
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,516
<INVENTORY>                                    288,884
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               669,472
<PP&E>                                         298,611
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,959
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,237,683
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          303,999
<BONDS>                                        573,048
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           532
<OTHER-SE>                                     286,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,237,683
<SALES>                                        992,863
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               995,821
<CGS>                                          737,423
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  737,423
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,448
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,449
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,952
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,373)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (647)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,020)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.11)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.11)<F1>
<FN>
<F1> PER SHARE AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO REFLECT 
THE TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT PAID JULY 15, 1996.  
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES FOR PRIOR PERIODS HAVE NOT 
BEEN RESTATED FOR THIS STOCK SPLIT.
</FN>