<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACRED FROM THE
REGISTRANTS'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF NET EARNINGS AT AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERNECE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           8,669
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    114,512
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 144,855
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            79
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,137
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   144,855
<SALES>                                         42,229
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,806
<CGS>                                           34,117
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,350
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,072
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,384
<INCOME-TAX>                                       648
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                736
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       736
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09