<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 12,795 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 123,432 <ALLOWANCES> 2,746 <INVENTORY> 164,933 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 307,864 <PP&E> 68,387 <DEPRECIATION> 24,422 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 431,504 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 112,612 <BONDS> 164,973 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 100,535 <OTHER-SE> 53,384 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 431,504 <SALES> 213,415 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 213,415 <CGS> 169,815 <TOTAL-COSTS> 169,815 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 35,566 <LOSS-PROVISION> 396 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,460 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,574 <INCOME-TAX> 2,133 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,441 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,441 <EPS-PRIMARY> .26 <EPS-DILUTED> .26