<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS FILED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE 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> 9,896 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 229,185 <ALLOWANCES> 9,705 <INVENTORY> 245,849 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 535,405 <PP&E> 285,522 <DEPRECIATION> 108,915 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,064,741 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 269,284 <BONDS> 479,446 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 534 <OTHER-SE> 248,282 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,064,741 <SALES> 927,206 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 931,412 <CGS> 678,590 <TOTAL-COSTS> 678,590 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,917 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,594 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,963 <INCOME-TAX> 2,087 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,741 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,741 <EPS-PRIMARY> .05 <EPS-DILUTED> .05