<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S SECOND QUARTER 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                         1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                        1,451,686
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,047,339
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                  51,618,248
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             63,156,365
<PP&E>                                       62,650,667
<DEPRECIATION>                               20,700,221
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              156,410,846
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        27,739,872
<BONDS>                                      96,544,514
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                  11,500,000
<COMMON>                                         35,593
<OTHER-SE>                                   15,605,871
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                156,410,846
<SALES>                                     116,989,104
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            116,989,104
<CGS>                                        53,534,324
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                53,534,324
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            6,572,231
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (9,781,210)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (2,359,945)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (7,421,265)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (7,421,265)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (2.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (2.24)