<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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,967 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 79,028 <ALLOWANCES> 1,413 <INVENTORY> 110,839 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 195,849 <PP&E> 192,049 <DEPRECIATION> 40,856 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 431,398 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 70,848 <BONDS> 189,039 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 125 <OTHER-SE> 149,831 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 431,398 <SALES> 261,265 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 261,265 <CGS> 214,212 <TOTAL-COSTS> 214,212 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,249 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,351 <INCOME-PRETAX> 16,453 <INCOME-TAX> 6,581 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,872 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,872 <EPS-PRIMARY> .79 <EPS-DILUTED> .78