<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             479
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    39807
<ALLOWANCES>                                       350
<INVENTORY>                                      58694
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                101882
<PP&E>                                           41400
<DEPRECIATION>                                   10531
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  138632
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            24651
<BONDS>                                          67345
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            61
<OTHER-SE>                                       48629
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    138632
<SALES>                                         268937
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                268937
<CGS>                                           217088
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   252111
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4025
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  12801
<INCOME-TAX>                                      5148
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               7653
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      7653
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24