<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                          17,787
<SECURITIES>                                    78,494<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  226,999
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    789,296
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,223,493
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        463,174<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        38,850
<OTHER-SE>                                     306,468
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,223,493
<SALES>                                        746,676
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               760,586
<CGS>                                          614,526
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  620,748<F3>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               101,943<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,444
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,649
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,149
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,149
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F5>
<FN>
<F1>Marketable securities are comprised of first mortgages and mortgage-backed
securities which are held for long-term investment. The mortgage-backed
securities serve as collateral for related collateralized mortgage obligations.
<F2>Bonds are comprised of senior and senior subordinated notes and collateralized
mortgage obligations.
<F3>Total Costs include interest expense on the collateralized mortgage
obligations, as the associated interest income generated from the
mortgage-backed securities is included in Total Revenues.
<F4>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses.
<F5>Fully diluted earnings per share is not disclosed in the Company's consolidated
financial statements since the maximum dilutive effect is not material.
</FN>