<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, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 12942 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6473 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 320969 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F1> <PP&E> 6997 <DEPRECIATION> 4174 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 356643 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F1> <BONDS> 115000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 20 <COMMON> 93 <OTHER-SE> 178588 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 356643 <SALES> 866627 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 866627 <CGS> 747529 <TOTAL-COSTS> 836505 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (71) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30193 <INCOME-TAX> 11927 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18266 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18266 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.20 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.01 <FN> <F1>The Company presents a condensed balance sheet. </FN>