<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
     Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1999 and the related Statement of Income
     for the year to date ended March 31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1,000
<CURRENCY>                               U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<CASH>                                          2,119
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 106,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                    2,585
<INVENTORY>                                   120,151
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              242,167
<PP&E>                                         61,776
<DEPRECIATION>                                 33,569
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                376,172
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          95,474
<BONDS>                                        60,000 <F1>
<COMMON>                                           72
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         115,463 <F2>
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                     20,659
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  376,172
<SALES>                                       173,111
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              173,111
<CGS>                                         101,109
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  65,540
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (220)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 350
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,063
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1,561
<INCOME-TAX>                                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              905
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                     905
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0.13

        
<FN>
<F1> Bonds represents all long-term debt for Senior Notes.
<F2> Represents Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the corporation's
     Junior Subordinated Debentures.
</FN>