Three friends in their early 20's were sentenced to 15 years in prison today for removing a stop sign as a prank and causing the deaths of three teen-agers who drove into the path of an eight-ton truck in February 1996.

''I understand your parents love you as much as these parents loved their children -- there are no winners in this case,'' Judge Bob Mitcham of Hillsborough County Circuit Court told the young woman and two young men who were convicted last month of manslaughter.

The three teen-age victims, all 18, were killed after a night of bowling when they were broadsided as they drove through an intersection. The stop sign was found on the roadside near the accident.

Turning to the sobbing families of those killed, Judge Mitcham said: ''My heart breaks for you.''

Although a pre-sentence recommendation called for up to 50 years in prison, the judge, who is known for his harsh sentences, decided to give the defendants far less.