<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ATTACHED QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1,000
<CURRENCY>                               U.S. Dollars
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1                                      
<CASH>                                            914
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  99,973
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,886
<INVENTORY>                                   171,009
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              274,079 
<PP&E>                                        223,112
<DEPRECIATION>                                 63,176
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                619,815
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          77,728
<BONDS>                                       193,604
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         115,000
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          164
<OTHER-SE>                                    204,888
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  619,815
<SALES>                                       130,369
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              130,369
<CGS>                                          92,477
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  92,477
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               23,994
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              2,666
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 9,507
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,850
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             5,657
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                    5,657
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.35