<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 2,152 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,626 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 56,718 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 78,496 <PP&E> 36,326 <DEPRECIATION> 8,936 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 180,188 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 76,532 <BONDS> 38,945 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 142 <OTHER-SE> 62,974 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 180,188 <SALES> 359,193 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 359,193 <CGS> 296,756 <TOTAL-COSTS> 296,756 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 47,590 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,066 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,781 <INCOME-TAX> 4,157 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,624 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,624 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .48