<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 730 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 238,135 <ALLOWANCES> 6,393 <INVENTORY> 301,257 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 542,547 <PP&E> 73,544 <DEPRECIATION> 48,001 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 754,929 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 301,910 <BONDS> 150,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 132,000 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 65,372 <OTHER-SE> 99,838 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 754,929 <SALES> 741,084 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 741,084 <CGS> 662,355 <TOTAL-COSTS> 725,174 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,769 <LOSS-PROVISION> 240 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,096 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,805 <INCOME-TAX> 4,314 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,491 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,491 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.17 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.17