<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 3,518 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20,888 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 137,796 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 164,535 <PP&E> 97,093 <DEPRECIATION> (16,151) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 260,710 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 41,221 <BONDS> 17,474 <COMMON> 106,319 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 33,453 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 260,710 <SALES> 149,473 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 149,473 <CGS> 118,830 <TOTAL-COSTS> 118,830 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 25,117 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 917 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,911 <INCOME-TAX> 1,466 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,445 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,445 <EPS-PRIMARY> .23 <EPS-DILUTED> .23