<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-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 61,973 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 775,752 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 837,725 <PP&E> 20,617 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 932,634 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 122,796 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 375 <OTHER-SE> 284,868 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 932,634 <SALES> 508,603 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 508,603 <CGS> 414,607 <TOTAL-COSTS> 414,607 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,641 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,029 <INCOME-TAX> 14,455 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,574 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 22,574 <EPS-PRIMARY> .60 <EPS-DILUTED> .59