<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                                    <C>                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                                 12-MOS                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997                  DEC-31-1996                  DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997                  DEC-31-1996                  DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           3,537                       18,455                        1,419
<SECURITIES>                                    18,914                        3,479                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  145,239                       69,077                       49,226
<ALLOWANCES>                                    22,146                        8,125                        8,500
<INVENTORY>                                     33,888                        5,752                        6,329
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>                        0<F1>                        0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          46,891                       23,591                        9,236
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (5,639)                      (2,939)                      (1,439)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 279,054                      118,083                       60,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>                        0<F1>                        0<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0                            0                            0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                            0                            0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                            0                       10,000
<COMMON>                                       172,622                       82,612                          127
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,152                        (293)                      (5,243)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   279,054                      118,083                       60,790
<SALES>                                        123,814                       53,768                       47,824
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               191,118                       75,629                       58,203
<CGS>                                           66,509                       29,890                       27,964
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                            0                            0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                79,250                       24,700                       19,896
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                24,075                        9,811                        8,359
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,260                        5,262                        5,956
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,024                        5,966                      (3,972)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,579                          100                            0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                            0                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                            0                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                            0                            0
<CHANGES>                                            0                            0                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,445                        5,866                      (3,972)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53                          .63                        (.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52                          .60                        (.72)
<FN>
<F1>UNCLASSIFIEDBALANCESHEET
</FN>


</TABLE>