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<S>                             <C>
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<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                            3558
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<RECEIVABLES>                                   122847
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3063
<INVENTORY>                                      82904
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<PP&E>                                          130148
<DEPRECIATION>                                   41569
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  554262
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           177927
<BONDS>                                         252205
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             8816
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           301
<OTHER-SE>                                      107635
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    554262
<SALES>                                         439829
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                439829
<CGS>                                           165600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   182100
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<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
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<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     42313
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29
        

</TABLE>
