<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             937
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,067
<INVENTORY>                                     90,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               159,508
<PP&E>                                         169,490
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 338,607
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,173
<BONDS>                                        124,391
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           124
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,046
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   338,607
<SALES>                                        116,383
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,383
<CGS>                                           96,223
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,686
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,606
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,868
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,747
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,121
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,121
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33