<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Form 10-Q
for Period Ended 11-30-98 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  113,747
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,588,688
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,743,249
<PP&E>                                      26,922,466
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,578,713
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,568,869
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,584,513
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                   8,843,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                30,568,869
<SALES>                                      4,301,907
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,301,907
<CGS>                                        3,688,814
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,288,120
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (9,988)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             400,241
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (376,466)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (376,466)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (376,466)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0