<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 MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          21,498
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  212,086
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,051
<INVENTORY>                                    246,343
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               531,345
<PP&E>                                         275,373
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,235
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,021,979
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          328,386
<BONDS>                                        360,231
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           552
<OTHER-SE>                                     266,490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,021,979
<SALES>                                        240,310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               244,499
<CGS>                                          175,777
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  175,777
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   663
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,044
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,518
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,414)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,232)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,646)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.05)