<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
2000 FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRANT'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         31,252
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  384,412
<ALLOWANCES>                                   3,748
<INVENTORY>                                    354,318
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               0
<PP&E>                                         355,103
<DEPRECIATION>                                 108,949
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,197,817
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          281,625
<BONDS>                                        338,739
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          23,562
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     466,508
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,197,817
<SALES>                                        879,401
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               962,645
<CGS>                                          688,276
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  983,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               2,250
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             37,908
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (61,213)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (23,260)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (37,953)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (37,953)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (0.82)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.82)