<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated statements of operations and cashflows for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such annual report Form 10-K. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 4,447 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,446 <ALLOWANCES> 3,735 <INVENTORY> 22,111 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,160 <PP&E> 52,531 <DEPRECIATION> 23,317 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 136,699 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,981 <BONDS> 119,288 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 70 <OTHER-SE> (4,961) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 136,699 <SALES> 118,642 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 118,642 <CGS> 85,196 <TOTAL-COSTS> 85,196 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 36,188 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,390 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,400 <INCOME-PRETAX> (19,432) <INCOME-TAX> (211) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (19,521) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (19,221) <EPS-PRIMARY> (2.77) <EPS-DILUTED> (2.77)