<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BALANCE
SHEETS AND A STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000                   
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                           3,118                  12,642
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,158                   7,480
<ALLOWANCES>                                       759                      42
<INVENTORY>                                     69,916                   1,698
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,150                  22,684
<PP&E>                                         131,353                   5,731
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,843                     283
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,425,434                 144,826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          170,618                  10,523
<BONDS>                                        302,333                 100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          397,305                  32,619
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           541                     541
<OTHER-SE>                                    (60,367)                     345
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,425,434                 144,826
<SALES>                                        289,198                  42,891
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               289,198                  42,891
<CGS>                                          119,477                  14,271
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  230,055                  30,411
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,779                   6,687
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   759                      42
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,398                   5,176
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (59,793)                     575
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (67)                     230
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (59,726)                     345
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,876                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (61,602)                     345
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.52)                    0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.52)                    0.01
        

</TABLE>