<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          11,727
<SECURITIES>                                    18,475
<RECEIVABLES>                                  411,654
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,338
<INVENTORY>                                     64,248
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                           6,510
<DEPRECIATION>                                     458
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,461,739
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            51
<OTHER-SE>                                     798,068
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,461,739
<SALES>                                        187,752
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               187,752
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               144,879
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   298
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,758
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,625
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,118
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,507
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,507
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23