<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE
PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          49,055
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  243,263
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (19,158)
<INVENTORY>                                     80,941
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          48,479
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,710)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 471,420
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        242,644
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           212
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   471,420
<SALES>                                        172,872
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               233,722
<CGS>                                           38,622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  202,840
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,896
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,792
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,909
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,303
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,655
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,648
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,648
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .96