<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1997 </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 1,657 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,457 <ALLOWANCES> 3,590 <INVENTORY> 4,087 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 27,986 <PP&E> 8,428 <DEPRECIATION> 4,433 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 50,880 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,718 <BONDS> 34,440 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 4 <COMMON> 9 <OTHER-SE> 9,958 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 50,880 <SALES> 8,428 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,444 <CGS> 6,240 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,240 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,190 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 470 <INCOME-PRETAX> (5,456) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (5,456) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.69) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.69)