<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 3,986 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 78,930 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 59,731 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 156,796 <PP&E> 164,046 <DEPRECIATION> 67,941 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 369,981 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 93,781 <BONDS> 360,510 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 474 <OTHER-SE> (111,079) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 369,981 <SALES> 136,508 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 136,508 <CGS> 90,948 <TOTAL-COSTS> 90,948 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (48) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,871 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,719 <INCOME-TAX> 6,130 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,589 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,589 <EPS-PRIMARY> .34 <EPS-DILUTED> .34