<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOUND ON
PAGES 23 AND 24 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         128,568
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,866,108
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,108,462
<PP&E>                                          67,535
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,563
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,361,808
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          368,774
<BONDS>                                      1,190,623
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           643
<OTHER-SE>                                     796,966
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,361,808
<SALES>                                      3,118,960
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,156,211
<CGS>                                        2,560,746
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,560,746
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,451
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                263,826
<INCOME-TAX>                                   103,999
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            159,827
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   159,827
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.50