<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          13,764
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,808
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,751
<INVENTORY>                                     80,316
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,211
<PP&E>                                          58,021
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 302,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,058
<BONDS>                                        164,818
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            55
<OTHER-SE>                                       (628)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   302,391
<SALES>                                        563,220
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               563,220
<CGS>                                          522,532
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   374
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,296
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (20)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (9)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (11)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (11)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0