<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-1-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 5,553 <SECURITIES> 70 <RECEIVABLES> 78,782 <ALLOWANCES> 1,693 <INVENTORY> 67,839 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 194,562 <PP&E> 47,051 <DEPRECIATION> 22,824 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 374,529 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 65,873 <BONDS> 70,239 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 68,392 <OTHER-SE> 123,202 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 374,529 <SALES> 221,378 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 221,378 <CGS> 39,661 <TOTAL-COSTS> 39,661 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,319 <LOSS-PROVISION> 393 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,221 <INCOME-PRETAX> 60,757 <INCOME-TAX> 17,946 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 40,831 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 40,831 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.51 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.51