<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> GOES HERE </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,002 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 68,151 <ALLOWANCES> 3,098 <INVENTORY> 82,838 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 172,978 <PP&E> 80,664 <DEPRECIATION> 20,926 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 343,411 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 84,632 <BONDS> 13,667<F1> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 115,024<F2> <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 73 <OTHER-SE> 27,386 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 343,411 <SALES> 250,140 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 250,140 <CGS> 149,845 <TOTAL-COSTS> 92,567 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (339) <LOSS-PROVISION> 300 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,466 <INCOME-PRETAX> 46,545 <INCOME-TAX> 5,364 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 41,181 <DISCONTINUED> 2,357 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43,538 <EPS-BASIC> 6.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 6.36 <FN> <F1>Bonds represents current and long-term portion of subordinated notes <F2>Represents Guaranteed Preferrred Beneficial interests in the corporation's Junior Subordinated Debt </FN>