<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 35,042 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 202,851 <ALLOWANCES> 7,474 <INVENTORY> 247,405 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 491,515 <PP&E> 88,046 <DEPRECIATION> 37,930 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 584,578 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 203,490 <BONDS> 213,587 <COMMON> 8,210 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 156,963 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 584,578 <SALES> 1,117,224 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,117,224 <CGS> 924,848 <TOTAL-COSTS> 924,848 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 150,325 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,326 <INCOME-PRETAX> 28,725 <INCOME-TAX> 12,416 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,309 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,309 <EPS-PRIMARY> .71 <EPS-DILUTED> .71