<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       6,860,183
<SECURITIES>                                55,232,807
<RECEIVABLES>                              117,274,653
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                114,348,602
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                       5,956,176
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             430,603,217
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    181,750,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       296,264
<OTHER-SE>                                  93,136,422
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               430,603,217
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            67,231,769
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            30,930,657
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,381,727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             29,919,385
<INCOME-TAX>                                12,314,385
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         17,605,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                17,605,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.58
<FN>
<F1>The Company makes use of an unclassified balance sheet style due to the nature
of its business.  Current Liabilities are therefore reflected as zero in
accordance with the instructions of Appendix E to the EDGAR Filer Manual.
</FN>