<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance
sheet as of March 31, 1998 and the related Statement of Income for the 
year-to-date ended March 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          21,043
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   92,858
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,389
<INVENTORY>                                    104,801
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               231,240
<PP&E>                                          53,550
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 330,892
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           89,929
<BONDS>                                         60,000<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          115,815<F2>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            72
<OTHER-SE>                                      21,089
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   330,892
<SALES>                                        172,091
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               172,091
<CGS>                                          103,453
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,054
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (110)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   396
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,688
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,948
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,327
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,621
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,621
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25
        
<FN>
<F1> Bonds represents all long-term debt for senior notes.
<F2> Represents Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Corporations
     junior subordinated debentures.
</FN>