<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 3,529 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,089 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 121,637 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 148,307 <PP&E> 131,770 <DEPRECIATION> (21,756) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 277,446 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 38,663 <BONDS> 16,892 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 106,319 <OTHER-SE> 42,114 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 277,446 <SALES> 155,707 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 155,707 <CGS> 123,409 <TOTAL-COSTS> 123,409 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,665 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 964 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,644 <INCOME-TAX> 1,385 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,259 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,259 <EPS-PRIMARY> .21 <EPS-DILUTED> .21