<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Company's third quarter 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 660,862 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 4,515,170 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 70,864,597 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 82,899,355 <PP&E> 72,527,443 <DEPRECIATION> 29,317,321 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 177,905,186 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 52,905,145 <BONDS> 96,546,225 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 11,500,000 <COMMON> 35,980 <OTHER-SE> 9,412,588 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 177,905,187 <SALES> 225,049,297 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 225,049,297 <CGS> 112,585,597 <TOTAL-COSTS> 104,592,277 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,788,832 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,337,820 <INCOME-PRETAX> (7,255,229) <INCOME-TAX> (2,445,216) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,810,013) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,810,013) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.59) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.59)