<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 MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          12,866
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  281,551
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,934
<INVENTORY>                                    288,166
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               643,734
<PP&E>                                         294,734
<DEPRECIATION>                                  99,995
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,205,062
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          309,791
<BONDS>                                        568,034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           532
<OTHER-SE>                                     249,445
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,205,062
<SALES>                                        294,023
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               295,464
<CGS>                                          214,422
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  214,422
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   455
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,712
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,321
<INCOME-TAX>                                       510
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                699
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       699
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01