<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>