<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             952
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,396
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    359,355
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0 <F1> <F2>
<PP&E>                                           2,585 <F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        147,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         20
<COMMON>                                            93
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,504
<SALES>                                        571,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               571,800
<CGS>                                          494,247
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  552,905
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (71)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,637
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,966
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,587
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,379
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,379
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.25
<FN>
<F1>PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT IS PRESENTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.
<F2>THE COMPANY PRESENTS A CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET FOR INTERIM PERIODS.
</FN>