<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance
Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and Statements of Income for the years
ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1997       JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1997       DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                1,057             1,744
<SECURITIES>                              0                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                        32,348            22,365
<ALLOWANCES>                          1,643             1,783
<INVENTORY>                          60,714            54,936
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     98,433            82,818
<PP&E>                               75,409            60,505
<DEPRECIATION>                        7,155             3,642
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      237,757           198,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                25,522            30,116
<BONDS>                                   0                 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0                 0
<PREFERRED>                               0                 0
<COMMON>                                341               341
<OTHER-SE>                           85,608            46,202
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        237,757           198,930
<SALES>                                   0                 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    275,644           225,229
<CGS>                                     0                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       137,708           113,764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        340               153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    8,049             9,505
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      64,685            40,799
<INCOME-TAX>                         25,390            16,006
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  39,295            24,793
<DISCONTINUED>                            0                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0                 0
<CHANGES>                                 0                 0
<NET-INCOME>                         39,295            24,793
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          1.15               .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                          1.15               .73