<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                           8,780
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  213,726
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    127,148
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               371,998
<PP&E>                                         111,583
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,016
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 489,872
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          222,126
<BONDS>                                         47,429
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           314
<OTHER-SE>                                     217,084
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   489,872
<SALES>                                        290,115
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               290,115
<CGS>                                          219,889
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  219,889
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,220
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,853
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,153
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,559
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,628
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,628<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .18
<FN>
<F1>The Company recognized minority interest expense in the amount of $966,000 in
the consolidated statement of operations, which represents the minority
shareholders' portion of the income for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.
</FN>