<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 3,523 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 95,657 <ALLOWANCES> 2,688 <INVENTORY> 100,532 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 200,843 <PP&E> 19,798 <DEPRECIATION> 8,732 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 218,527 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 68,730 <BONDS> 69,652 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 88 <OTHER-SE> 80,057 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 218,527 <SALES> 273,998 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 273,998 <CGS> 245,265 <TOTAL-COSTS> 245,265 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,813 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,731 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,512 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,677 <INCOME-TAX> 1,124 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,553 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,553 <EPS-PRIMARY> .18 <EPS-DILUTED> .18