<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 770 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 81,549 <ALLOWANCES> 1,562 <INVENTORY> 79,987 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 138,262 <PP&E> 87,672 <DEPRECIATION> 14,405 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 361,937 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 76,738 <BONDS> 236,330 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 6,690 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 288 <OTHER-SE> 33,191 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 361,937 <SALES> 181,278 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 181,278 <CGS> 67,313 <TOTAL-COSTS> 69,753 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 100,796 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,434 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,295 <INCOME-TAX> 4,974 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,679) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (22,264) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (23,943) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.78) <EPS-DILUTED> (.78)