<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          17,546
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  175,429
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,864
<INVENTORY>                                    211,422
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               408,367
<PP&E>                                          78,323
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,277
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 500,747
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          173,302
<BONDS>                                        181,933
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,653
<OTHER-SE>                                     136,663
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   500,747
<SALES>                                        723,577
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               723,577
<CGS>                                          587,061
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  587,061
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               100,293
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,032
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,018
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,408
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,610
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0