<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 10,795 <SECURITIES> 74,322<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 274,497 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 852,793 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,325,815 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 460,659<F2> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 38,965 <OTHER-SE> 317,672 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,325,815 <SALES> 1,207,220 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,229,362 <CGS> 994,489 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,003,499<F3> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 158,573<F4> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,108 <INCOME-PRETAX> 47,412 <INCOME-TAX> 17,100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,312 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 30,312 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.76 <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>