<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1998
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          18,967
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  340,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,193
<INVENTORY>                                    337,629
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               695,745
<PP&E>                                         155,830
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,183
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 961,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          291,002
<BONDS>                                        396,971
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,258
<OTHER-SE>                                     253,247
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   961,488
<SALES>                                      1,699,813
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,699,813
<CGS>                                        1,435,389
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,435,389
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               203,511
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,111
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 41,802
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,073
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,351
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,351
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72