<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,748
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,328
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,880
<INVENTORY>                                     74,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               186,035
<PP&E>                                          94,095
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,178
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 829,888
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,069
<BONDS>                                        210,934
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     473,579
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   829,888
<SALES>                                        132,519
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               132,519
<CGS>                                          108,382
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  130,273
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   878
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,646
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,278)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (2,227)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,051)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,051)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1,051)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0