<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1999
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          30,090
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  392,990
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,844
<INVENTORY>                                    376,552
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               802,671
<PP&E>                                         182,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                  83,029
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,101,334
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          273,744
<BONDS>                                        498,006
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,496
<OTHER-SE>                                     297,995
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,101,334
<SALES>                                      1,875,637
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,875,637
<CGS>                                        1,587,420
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,587,420
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               213,780
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,633
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,424
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,813
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,813
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .92