<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contaions summary financial information extracted from the Balance
Sheet as of December 31, 1997 and the related Statement of Income for the
year-to-date ended December 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,638
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,696
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,195
<INVENTORY>                                    103,369
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               206,858
<PP&E>                                          52,648
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,709
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 306,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           85,920
<BONDS>                                         60,000<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          115,903<F2>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            64
<OTHER-SE>                                       (491)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   306,142
<SALES>                                        698,131
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               698,131
<CGS>                                          414,853
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  244,171
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (54)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,711
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,198
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,852
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (6,680)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,532
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,392)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,140
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.88
<FN>
<F1>Bonds represents all long-term debt for senior notes.
<F2>Represents Guaranteed preserved bebeficial interests
in the corporation's junior subordinated debentures.
</FN>