<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION AND CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
INCLUDED IN PART I OF THIS REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          10,895
<SECURITIES>                                     5,895
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    120,774
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               331,112
<PP&E>                                         150,198
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,644
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 703,104
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          232,221
<BONDS>                                        129,648
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,368
<OTHER-SE>                                     249,492
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   703,104
<SALES>                                        475,126
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                          332,590
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,886
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,955
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,340
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,615
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,615
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.72