<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          13,380
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   96,919
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,021
<INVENTORY>                                    100,839
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               217,764
<PP&E>                                          49,468
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,155
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 319,665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          131,603
<BONDS>                                        186,473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            55
<OTHER-SE>                                     (7,041)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   318,993
<SALES>                                        527,866
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               527,866
<CGS>                                          487,756
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   392
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,391
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    104
<INCOME-TAX>                                        42
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 62
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        62
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0