<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 1 <SECURITIES> 113 <RECEIVABLES> 33,629 <ALLOWANCES> 791 <INVENTORY> 20,823 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 56,592 <PP&E> 28,701 <DEPRECIATION> 10,310 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 121,703 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 30,403 <BONDS> 116,935 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (27,927) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 121,703 <SALES> 167,418 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 167,418 <CGS> 109,235 <TOTAL-COSTS> 109,235 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 286 <LOSS-PROVISION> 195 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,545 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,264 <INCOME-TAX> 3,574 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,690 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,690 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0