<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DECEMBER 31,
1996 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          16,234
<SECURITIES>                                    47,730
<RECEIVABLES>                                  215,848
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,899
<INVENTORY>                                    374,077
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          13,777
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,509
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 695,379
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           296
<OTHER-SE>                                     260,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   695,379
<SALES>                                        419,174
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               439,246
<CGS>                                          383,565
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  422,425
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (4,784)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   465
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,998
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,605
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,998
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,393
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28
<FN> 
Amounts for current assets and current liabilities are not shown since the
balance sheet presented is unclassified.
</FN>