<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 JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          17,047
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  319,183
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,262
<INVENTORY>                                    252,880
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               637,939
<PP&E>                                         283,619
<DEPRECIATION>                                 103,458
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,176,058
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          329,348
<BONDS>                                        522,819
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           534
<OTHER-SE>                                     259,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,176,058
<SALES>                                        675,952
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               678,978
<CGS>                                          496,023
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  496,023
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,155
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,739
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,808
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,147
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,818
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,818
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20