<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, STATEMENT OF INCOME , AND STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLAR
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          21,383
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  131,146
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    224,050
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               395,466
<PP&E>                                         110,831
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 618,737
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,514
<BONDS>                                        191,671
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     232,335
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   618,737
<SALES>                                        293,612
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               293,612
<CGS>                                          267,724
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  267,724
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,374
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,625
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,667
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,958
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,958
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33