<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          11,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,310
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    299,455
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,671
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        125,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           150
<OTHER-SE>                                     143,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,671
<SALES>                                        267,561
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               268,430
<CGS>                                          222,085
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  222,085
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,940<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,171
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,006
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,165
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,165
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative
expenses.
<F2>Included in Company's financial statements are pro forma earnings per
share. Item 601(c)(1)(vi) of Regulation S-K excludes pro forma information
from this schedule.
</FN>