<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 June 30, 1999, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         28,350
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 252,533
<ALLOWANCES>                                   23,690
<INVENTORY>                                    85,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    0
<PP&E>                                         49,429
<DEPRECIATION>                                 13,397
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                518,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               0
<BONDS>                                       276,687
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          213
<OTHER-SE>                                    156,286
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  518,896
<SALES>                                       106,015
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              143,457
<CGS>                                          24,597
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 125,394
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                3,839
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                7,844
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              8,973
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                19,030
<INCOME-TAX>                                    7,422
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,608
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                         601
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,007
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.51