<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 4843807 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1187049 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 70921632 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 81831893 <PP&E> 1829948 <DEPRECIATION> (1096870) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 99763600 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 25442358 <BONDS> 35438853 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 52554 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 38829835 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 99763600 <SALES> 79802114 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 84765384 <CGS> 67833859 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4299658 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4726331 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7905536 <INCOME-TAX> 580155 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7325381 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7325381 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.43 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.43