<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 4,082 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 123,713 <ALLOWANCES> 3,486 <INVENTORY> 129,389 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 259,500 <PP&E> 23,346 <DEPRECIATION> 10,580 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 285,580 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 92,141 <BONDS> 106,963 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 89 <OTHER-SE> 86,387 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 285,580 <SALES> 661,428 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 661,428 <CGS> 595,504 <TOTAL-COSTS> 595,504 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 45,354 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,384 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,711 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,475 <INCOME-TAX> 4,400 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,075 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,075 <EPS-PRIMARY> .69 <EPS-DILUTED> .68