<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of 
Income and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial 
statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          9,211 
<SECURITIES>                                        0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                 158,452 
<ALLOWANCES>                                   11,599 
<INVENTORY>                                    41,000 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    0 
<PP&E>                                         24,402      
<DEPRECIATION>                                  6,783    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                264,086      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               0    
<BONDS>                                             0  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                          190 
<OTHER-SE>                                     74,137       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  264,086         
<SALES>                                        68,715          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              100,209          
<CGS>                                          15,603          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  46,119          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               26,947       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                4,717      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              6,213       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                16,325       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    5,555      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            10,770      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   825      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                  (3,256) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (.18) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0