<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC
form 10-Q and qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                           5,625
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,246
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     92,511
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               126,167
<PP&E>                                          96,936
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,908
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 204,465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,216
<BONDS>                                         57,343
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         80
<COMMON>                                         3,852
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,606
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   204,465
<SALES>                                          7,195
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,195
<CGS>                                            4,947
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,842
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   237
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 531
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,362)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,923
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,439)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,439)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.17)