<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
balance sheet and statements of operations for the three months ended March 31,
1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statement.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                              971,759
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                    36,482,640      
<ALLOWANCES>                      2,010,491
<INVENTORY>                      61,791,837
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                104,948,864
<PP&E>                           62,702,487         
<DEPRECIATION>                   22,410,365
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  181,285,469          
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            74,696,690
<BONDS>                          40,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0 
<COMMON>                         36,849,127
<OTHER-SE>                       25,937,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    181,285,469           
<SALES>                          39,196,435
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 39,196,435 
<CGS>                            35,182,264          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    35,182,264
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   (343,086)         
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                1,468,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  (1,386,294)
<INCOME-TAX>                       (504,611)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                (881,683)
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                       (881,683)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                          (.11)