<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          20,731
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,442
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    376,307
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               520,802
<PP&E>                                          33,221
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,970
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 614,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          176,269
<BONDS>                                        244,220
<COMMON>                                           237
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     193,385
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   614,111
<SALES>                                        778,680
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               807,464
<CGS>                                          651,492
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  750,301
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,157
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,006
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,719
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,287
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,287
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.75