<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 11,440 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 286,030 <ALLOWANCES> 4,718 <INVENTORY> 241,987 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 557,761 <PP&E> 145,647 <DEPRECIATION> 53,891 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 817,993 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 211,351 <BONDS> 205,637 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 561 <OTHER-SE> 386,242 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 817,993 <SALES> 1,172,013 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,172,013 <CGS> 898,995 <TOTAL-COSTS> 898,995 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 610 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,530 <INCOME-PRETAX> 109,313 <INCOME-TAX> 40,386 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 68,927 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 68,927 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.31 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.30