<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance
Sheet as of September 30, 1998 and the related statement of income for the
year-to-date ended September 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          10,174
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  104,060
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,503
<INVENTORY>                                    102,710
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               228,683
<PP&E>                                          57,487
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,642
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 343,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,779
<BONDS>                                         60,000<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          115,639<F2>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            72
<OTHER-SE>                                      19,783
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   343,787
<SALES>                                        547,138
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               547,138
<CGS>                                          324,931
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  191,334
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (301)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,078
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,914
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,128
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,786
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,786
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.55
<FN>
<F1> Bonds represents all long-term debt for senior notes.
<F2> Represents guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the corporations 
     junior subordinated debentures.
</FN>