<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S
FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          23,279
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  240,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                    20,835
<INVENTORY>                                     84,815
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          48,297
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,149
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 504,339
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        264,438
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           212
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,613
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   504,339
<SALES>                                         50,084
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,747
<CGS>                                           11,702
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,849
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,703
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,707
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,272
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,717
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,010
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,707
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                          601
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,106
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.19