<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 15,552 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 30,564 <ALLOWANCES> 2,318 <INVENTORY> 25,079 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 76,194 <PP&E> 46,212 <DEPRECIATION> 16,862 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 154,553 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,353 <BONDS> 100,360 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 69 <OTHER-SE> 28,529 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 154,553 <SALES> 32,669 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 32,669 <CGS> 22,901 <TOTAL-COSTS> 22,901 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,002 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,110 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,344) <INCOME-TAX> (922) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,422) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,422) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.21) <EPS-DILUTED> (.21)