<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 3,857 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6,203 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 20,812 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 37,728 <PP&E> 26,142 <DEPRECIATION> 4,097 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 125,902 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 91,948 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 125,902 <SALES> 24,075 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24,075 <CGS> 24,203 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,961 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,118 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 336 <INCOME-PRETAX> (5,543) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,543) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,509) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.50) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.50)