<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS FILED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          13,031
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  188,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,930
<INVENTORY>                                    236,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               476,898
<PP&E>                                         289,527
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,033
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,079,062
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          255,742
<BONDS>                                        477,276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     228,734
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,079,062
<SALES>                                      1,143,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,154,294
<CGS>                                          840,331
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  840,331
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,989
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,117)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,708)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,349)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (10,939)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (17,288)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0