<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the February
28, 1999 Form 10Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,214
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,969,598
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,327,934
<PP&E>                                      28,585,356
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,927,030
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,459,839
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,302,571
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,089,889
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,459,839
<SALES>                                      8,507,687
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,507,687
<CGS>                                        7,278,842
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,398,580
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (104,631)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             774,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (560,762)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (560,762)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (560,762)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0