<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> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 56,358 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 577,970 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 634,328 <PP&E> 12,783 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 700,067 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 89,890 <BONDS> 147,402 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 372 <OTHER-SE> 249,585 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 700,067 <SALES> 554,073 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 554,073 <CGS> 453,729 <TOTAL-COSTS> 453,729 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,331 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,881 <INCOME-TAX> 14,631 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 23,250 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 23,250 <EPS-PRIMARY> .66 <EPS-DILUTED> 0