<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997<F1>
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                         626,351
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 15,413,677
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       4,869,488
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,620,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,597,792
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      8,776,110
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,500
<OTHER-SE>                                   7,584,477
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,597,792
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            18,598,770
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,338,664
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            13,390,340
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             579,162
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                290,604
<INCOME-TAX>                                   134,567
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            156,037
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   156,037
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Company adopted unclassified balance sheet in 1989.
</FN>