<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          40,081
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  437,424
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,945
<INVENTORY>                                    436,849
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               921,232
<PP&E>                                         200,909
<DEPRECIATION>                                  97,546
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,259,603
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          312,291
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          143,750
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,388
<OTHER-SE>                                     342,422
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,259,603
<SALES>                                      1,389,931
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,389,931
<CGS>                                        1,177,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,333,639
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (471)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,933
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,830
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,940
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,936
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (470)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,466
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .67