<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             JUN-30-1997             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         134,100                  53,905                 121,008
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  317,548                 274,169                 246,288
<ALLOWANCES>                                    20,331                  19,352                  18,371
<INVENTORY>                                    174,991                 155,553                 154,244
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0                       0
<PP&E>                                          30,062                  19,758                  17,226
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 711,028                 544,220                 571,371
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0                       0
<BONDS>                                    338,000,000             138,000,000             138,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           356                     354                     354
<OTHER-SE>                                     195,072                 186,737                 183,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   711,028                 544,220                 571,371
<SALES>                                         79,915                  69,961                  60,385
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                94,234                  83,156                  71,895
<CGS>                                           19,579                  18,538                  16,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,297                  50,533                  43,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,063                  18,045                  14,633
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,278                   1,545                   2,190
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,243                   5,350                   5,444
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,353                   7,683                   6,384
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,941                   2,935                   2,511
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,412                   4,748                   3,873
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    248                     518                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,164                   4,230                   3,873
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20                    0.12                    0.12<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20                    0.12                    0.11
<FN>
<F1>FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC.
</FN>


</TABLE>