<ARTICLE> 5 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 4,986 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 57,434 <ALLOWANCES> 7,196 <INVENTORY> 25,296 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 87,400 <PP&E> 87,854 <DEPRECIATION> 27,654 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 340,043 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 59,723 <BONDS> 219,536 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 80 <OTHER-SE> 57,921 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 340,043 <SALES> 252,429 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 252,429 <CGS> 169,213 <TOTAL-COSTS> 169,213 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (33) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,568 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,351 <INCOME-TAX> 6,601 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,750 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 5,107 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 0 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.46 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.45