
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                      20,414,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              158,469,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                 7,367,000
<INVENTORY>                                165,464,800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           398,846,600
<PP&E>                                     135,600,800
<DEPRECIATION>                              59,523,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             742,736,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      131,413,100
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,209,100
<OTHER-SE>                                 321,808,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               742,736,500
<SALES>                                    474,356,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           474,356,000
<CGS>                                      341,621,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              341,621,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,449,700
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          16,632,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             40,367,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                11,616,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         28,751,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                28,751,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.33
        

</TABLE>
