<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3,670                   7,060
<SECURITIES>                                    64,010                  92,220
<RECEIVABLES>                               92,220<F1>              75,260<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    513,420                 482,580
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               748,050                 728,150
<PP&E>                                     337,770<F1>             356,430<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,127,580               1,117,510
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          258,820                 247,970
<BONDS>                                        200,000                 200,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          142,780                 134,970
<PREFERRED>                                          4                       4
<COMMON>                                             6                       6
<OTHER-SE>                                    (33,220)                (11,700)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,127,580               1,117,510
<SALES>                                      1,968,820               2,006,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,968,820               2,006,900
<CGS>                                        1,458,190               1,511,260
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,472,670               1,511,260
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,440                  13,740
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              78,840                  73,090
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,000                  50,870
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,750                  20,850
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,750)                  30,020
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (11,620)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (22,370)                  30,020
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (77.87)                   31.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (77.87)                   16.59
<FN>
<F1>Receivables and property and equipment are presented net of allowances for
doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation and amortization, respectively.
</FN>