<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 2000 AND
THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 3,008
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 132,447
<ALLOWANCES> 4,566
<INVENTORY> 175,529
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 321,467
<PP&E> 145,087
<DEPRECIATION> 57,994
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 509,460
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 159,885
<BONDS> 339,066
0
0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 5,614
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 509,460
<SALES> 662,259
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 662,259
<CGS> 495,693
<TOTAL-COSTS> 495,693
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,123
<INCOME-PRETAX> 7,970
<INCOME-TAX> 3,098
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,872
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,872
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>