<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>