<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,087
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    629,663
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          26,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,257
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 698,879
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        255,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           123
<OTHER-SE>                                     270,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   698,879
<SALES>                                      1,527,865
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,527,865
<CGS>                                        1,283,622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,452,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,138
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 71,485
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,879
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,606
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,606
<EPS-BASIC>                                       5.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.05
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY PRESENTS A CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>