<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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 93,820 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,467,281 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,625,677 <PP&E> 29,841 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,795,763 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 257,807 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 615 <OTHER-SE> 640,466 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,795,763 <SALES> 652,828 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 660,630 <CGS> 534,152 <TOTAL-COSTS> 534,152 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,536 <INCOME-PRETAX> 54,266 <INCOME-TAX> 21,571 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,695 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 32,695 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.54 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.52