<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income found on pages 3 and 4 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the year-to-date, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 26,814 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 541,444 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 568,258 <PP&E> 11,852 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 634,609 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,095 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 368 <OTHER-SE> 236,596 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 634,609 <SALES> 303,977 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 303,977 <CGS> 247,828 <TOTAL-COSTS> 247,828 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,600 <INCOME-PRETAX> 21,760 <INCOME-TAX> 8,263 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,497 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,497 <EPS-PRIMARY> .40 <EPS-DILUTED> 0