<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10Q FOR
PERIOD ENDED 9/30/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          15,920
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,394
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,988
<INVENTORY>                                      3,814
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,390
<PP&E>                                           5,301
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,943
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 575,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          103,260
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   575,471
<SALES>                                        183,829
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               183,829
<CGS>                                          125,970
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  125,970
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,772
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,064
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (16,475)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (16,475)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (6,307)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (22,782)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0