<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,211
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  253,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    169,502
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               505,010
<PP&E>                                         122,826
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,868
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 633,247
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          293,532
<BONDS>                                        130,989
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           316
<OTHER-SE>                                     206,859
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   633,247
<SALES>                                        289,565
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               289,565
<CGS>                                          217,529
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  217,529
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,923
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,563
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,550
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,640
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,085
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,085<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19
<FN>
<F1>The Company recognized minority interest expense in the amount of $825,000
in the consolidated statement of operations, which represents the minority
shareholders' portion of the income for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.
</FN>