<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          42,418
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    321,389
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 378,469
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        125,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           150
<OTHER-SE>                                     164,217
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   378,469
<SALES>                                        250,079
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               250,926
<CGS>                                          206,571
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  206,571
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,619<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,736
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,052
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,684
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,684
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses.
<F2>Fully diluted earnings per share is not disclosed in the Company's consolidated
financial statements since the maximum dilutive effect is not material.
</FN>