<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>