<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
balance sheet and statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         1,234,256
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 40,554,441
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,358,044
<INVENTORY>                                   64,280,472
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             108,469,909   
<PP&E>                                        67,484,306
<DEPRECIATION>                                23,481,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               188,885,353
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        123,926,760
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                      36,849,127        
<OTHER-SE>                                    24,218,751 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  188,885,353
<SALES>                                        90,256,136
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               90,256,136
<CGS>                                          81,610,435
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  81,610,435
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    4,467
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,330,837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,088,018)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,488,039)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,599,979)
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,599,979)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        (.32)