<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 16,829 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 98,797 <ALLOWANCES> 4,043 <INVENTORY> 105,055 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 242,055 <PP&E> 53,166 <DEPRECIATION> 25,955 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 345,820 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 144,595 <BONDS> 197,461 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 55 <OTHER-SE> (5,034) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 345,820 <SALES> 1,142,860 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,142,860 <CGS> 1,056,184 <TOTAL-COSTS> 72,931 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 783 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,044 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,918 <INCOME-TAX> 1,567 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,351 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,351 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0