<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1997 AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
26, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1997
<CASH>                                          37,485
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,005
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,416
<INVENTORY>                                    168,790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               396,615
<PP&E>                                         112,342
<DEPRECIATION>                                (63,860)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 470,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          147,497
<BONDS>                                        120,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           113
<OTHER-SE>                                     194,516
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   470,690
<SALES>                                        557,563
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               557,563
<CGS>                                          337,453
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  337,453
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,264
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,568
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,568
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,776
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,810
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,810
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0