<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,285
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    575,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          13,049
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 628,075
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        215,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           123
<OTHER-SE>                                     239,252
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   628,075
<SALES>                                        308,745
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               308,745
<CGS>                                          255,748
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  295,544
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   878
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,323
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,806
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,517
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,517
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .85
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY PRESENTS A CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
</FN>