<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR
TO DATE ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,945
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,235
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,396
<INVENTORY>                                    107,444
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               225,215
<PP&E>                                          53,272
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,314
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 352,356
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,405
<BONDS>                                         60,000<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               72
<PREFERRED>                                    115,288<F2>
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      11,241
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   352,356
<SALES>                                        522,302
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               522,302
<CGS>                                          310,195
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  211,527
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (664)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,269
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,777)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,724)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,724)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.29)
<FN>
<F1>Bonds represents all long-term debt for Senior Notes.
<F2>Represents Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the corporation's
    Junior Subordinated Debenture
</FN>