<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1998 and the related Statement of Income for the year-to-date ended June 30, 1998. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 14,702 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 100,322 <ALLOWANCES> 2,271 <INVENTORY> 104,926 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 231,907 <PP&E> 56,640 <DEPRECIATION> 32,417 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 343,863 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 89,070 <BONDS> 60,000<F1> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 115,727<F2> <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 72 <OTHER-SE> 24,225 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 343,863 <SALES> 362,293 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 362,293 <CGS> 216,989 <TOTAL-COSTS> 124,716 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (201) <LOSS-PROVISION> 690 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,334 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,339 <INCOME-TAX> 5,103 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,236 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,236 <EPS-PRIMARY> .91 <EPS-DILUTED> .91 <FN> <F1>Bonds represents all long-term debt for senior notes. <F2>Represents guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the corporations junior subordinated debentures. </FN>