<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 5,979 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 42,262 <ALLOWANCES> 3,235 <INVENTORY> 107,886 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 178,747 <PP&E> 160,339 <DEPRECIATION> 66,113 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 339,944 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 65,619 <BONDS> 113,151 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 4,421 <OTHER-SE> 139,428 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 339,944 <SALES> 162,812 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 162,812 <CGS> 135,998 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 587 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,668 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,913) <INCOME-TAX> (861) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,052) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,052) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.08) <EPS-DILUTED> (.08)