<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT FORM 10-Q. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 3,877 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 29,340 <ALLOWANCES> 3,334 <INVENTORY> 23,535 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 57,903 <PP&E> 49,006 <DEPRECIATION> 21,594 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 140,442 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,248 <BONDS> 109,366 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 70 <OTHER-SE> 5,951 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 140,442 <SALES> 90,238 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 90,238 <CGS> 61,837 <TOTAL-COSTS> 61,837 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,268 <LOSS-PROVISION> 622 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,790 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,278) <INCOME-TAX> (146) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,133) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,133) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.17) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.17)