<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 6,325 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 80,720 <ALLOWANCES> 1,331 <INVENTORY> 98,379 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 187,905 <PP&E> 17,955 <DEPRECIATION> 7,222 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 205,420 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,293 <BONDS> 74,460 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 87 <OTHER-SE> 77,580 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 205,420 <SALES> 533,736 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 533,736 <CGS> 476,648 <TOTAL-COSTS> 476,648 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 42,678 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,752 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,574 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,084 <INCOME-TAX> 3,395 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,689 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,689 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.55 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.53