<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 3,246<F1> <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 9,383 <ALLOWANCES> (97) <INVENTORY> 78,717 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 3,576 <DEPRECIATION> 2,440 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 149,346 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 81,236 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 47,839 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 149,346 <SALES> 13,039 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 25,370 <CGS> 10,330 <TOTAL-COSTS> 14,020 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,251 <LOSS-PROVISION> 484 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,683 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,803 <INCOME-TAX> 558 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,245 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,245 <EPS-PRIMARY> .12 <EPS-DILUTED> .12 <FN> <F1>Balance includes $738 of restricted cash. </FN>