<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10 Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           13620
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     2460
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     322019
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0  <F2>
<PP&E>                                            2010  <F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  358264
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0  <F2>
<BONDS>                                         131000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         20
<COMMON>                                            93
<OTHER-SE>                                      169172
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    358261
<SALES>                                         354735
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                354735
<CGS>                                            29983
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   343818
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (21)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                6777
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  10938
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4375
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               6563
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      6563
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Property, plant, and equipment is presented net of
accumulated depreciation.
<F2>The Company presents a condensed balance sheet for
interim periods.
</FN>