<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