<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 5,700 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 114,698 <ALLOWANCES> 2,463 <INVENTORY> 135,437 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 260,373 <PP&E> 35,294 <DEPRECIATION> 7,253 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 310,728 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 112,385 <BONDS> 55,625 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 182 <OTHER-SE> 126,049 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 310,728 <SALES> 374,020 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 374,020 <CGS> 315,436 <TOTAL-COSTS> 315,436 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 180 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,640 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,206 <INCOME-TAX> 8,820 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,386 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,386 <EPS-PRIMARY> .78 <EPS-DILUTED> .78