<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-03-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-01-1997 <CASH> 1,612,171 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 11,247,210 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 87,545,147 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 113,461,280 <PP&E> 19,360,159 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 137,512,517 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 85,383,258 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 78,078 <OTHER-SE> 45,253,100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 137,512,517 <SALES> 106,048,284 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 106,048,284 <CGS> 61,600,980 <TOTAL-COSTS> 61,600,980 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (5,691,244) <INCOME-TAX> (2,276,498) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,414,746) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,414,746) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.48) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.48)