<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          10,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,549
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    409,093
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               538,829
<PP&E>                                          35,306
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,626
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 609,569
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          210,640
<BONDS>                                        206,711
<COMMON>                                           237
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,981
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   609,569
<SALES>                                        205,654
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               213,960
<CGS>                                          169,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,466
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,476
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,018
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,105
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,913
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,913
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27