<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997          MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                            16,860                22,400 
<SECURITIES>                                      56,220                51,120 
<RECEIVABLES>                                    134,340               132,890 
<ALLOWANCES>                                       4,800                 4,800 
<INVENTORY>                                      542,580               526,300 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 784,940               764,680 
<PP&E>                                           360,222               356,960 
<DEPRECIATION>                                    12,442                 7,630 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,203,300             1,190,730 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            267,670               265,130 
<BONDS>                                          200,000               200,000 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0                     0 
<PREFERRED>                                            0                     0 
<COMMON>                                               0                     0 
<OTHER-SE>                                       467,590               453,360 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,203,300             1,190,730 
<SALES>                                          490,230               491,010 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 490,230               491,010 
<CGS>                                            364,500               369,170 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    364,500               369,170 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   2,480                 1,060 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0                     0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                11,220                22,240 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   25,610                 3,210 
<INCOME-TAX>                                       8,960                 2,940 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               16,650                   270 
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0                     0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0                     0 
<CHANGES>                                              0                     0 
<NET-INCOME>                                      16,650                   270 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0                     0 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0                     0 
        


</TABLE>