<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 18,676 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 156,528 <ALLOWANCES> 3,870 <INVENTORY> 192,753 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 383,958 <PP&E> 103,930 <DEPRECIATION> 56,312 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 459,988 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 99,184 <BONDS> 198,875 <COMMON> 111 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 151,799 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 459,988 <SALES> 468,879 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 468,879 <CGS> 299,472 <TOTAL-COSTS> 299,472 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,263 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,785 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,143 <INCOME-PRETAX> 13,706 <INCOME-TAX> 4,660 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,046 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,046 <EPS-PRIMARY> .81 <EPS-DILUTED> 0