<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