<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          21,471
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  255,834
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,640
<INVENTORY>                                    264,215
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               556,743
<PP&E>                                         155,708
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 803,781
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          211,078
<BONDS>                                        223,424
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           531
<OTHER-SE>                                     352,975
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   803,781
<SALES>                                        903,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               903,152
<CGS>                                          689,805
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  689,805
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (301)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (8,184)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                105,648
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,121
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             66,527
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    66,527
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26