<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