<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 21,252 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 227,079 <ALLOWANCES> 4,110 <INVENTORY> 224,802 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 481,171 <PP&E> 115,098 <DEPRECIATION> 41,205 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 587,531 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 212,777 <BONDS> 57,172 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 517 <OTHER-SE> 301,873 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 587,531 <SALES> 301,852 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 301,852 <CGS> 237,060 <TOTAL-COSTS> 237,060 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 212 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,248 <INCOME-PRETAX> 33,546 <INCOME-TAX> 12,409 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,137 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,137 <EPS-PRIMARY> .41<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> .40 <FN> <F1>BASIC </FN>