<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS, THE CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AND THE
ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                        <C>                     <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS                   3-MOS 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998<F1>         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,867                   1,618
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,455                  27,062
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     52,779                  35,889
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               119,249                  73,065
<PP&E>                                          18,508                  13,596
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 169,354                 118,595
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,045                  23,934
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            29                      29
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,111                  87,694
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   169,354                 118,595
<SALES>                                         45,704                  39,342
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,704                  39,342
<CGS>                                           25,779                  22,127
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,779                  22,127
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,325                  16,773
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 674                     119
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,371)                     385
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (528)                     150
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (843)                     235
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (843)                     235
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  ($0.07)                   $0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  ($0.07)                   $0.02
<FN>
<F1>SEE NOTE 3 TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>