<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 3 AND 4
OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR TO DATE AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERNCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,420
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,030
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,109)
<INVENTORY>                                     29,932
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               136,598
<PP&E>                                          98,414
<DEPRECIATION>                                (23,119)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 394,987
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,981
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                      96,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   394,987
<SALES>                                        324,579
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               324,579
<CGS>                                          275,147
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  275,147
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,940
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,152
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,340
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,039
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,301
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,301
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.27