<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 3178 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3494 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 347627 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F2> <PP&E> 3030<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 372879 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F2> <BONDS> 152000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 20 <COMMON> 93 <OTHER-SE> 179546 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 372879 <SALES> 161083 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 161083 <CGS> 138111 <TOTAL-COSTS> 156884 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (190) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4389 <INCOME-TAX> 1712 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2677 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2677 <EPS-PRIMARY> .26 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1> PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT IS PRESENTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION <F2> THE COMPANY PRESENTS CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </FN>