<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          10,095
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,993
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    450,688
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               581,459
<PP&E>                                          32,369
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,009
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 682,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          253,118
<BONDS>                                        251,529
<COMMON>                                           237
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     177,846
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   682,730
<SALES>                                        256,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               269,603
<CGS>                                          203,811
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  255,308
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,396
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,899
<INCOME-TAX>                                       151
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.08