<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1999
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          39,105
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  366,556
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,480
<INVENTORY>                                    358,212
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               767,692
<PP&E>                                         173,161
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,976
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,055,608
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          267,526
<BONDS>                                        476,908
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,479
<OTHER-SE>                                     281,127
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,055,608
<SALES>                                      1,207,295
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,207,295
<CGS>                                        1,021,803
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,021,803
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               138,806
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,422
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,109
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,181
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,007
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,007
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58