<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1998 <CASH> 41,211 <SECURITIES> 69,561<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 307,270 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 838,270 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,372,211 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 532,062<F2> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 39,229 <OTHER-SE> 349,112 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,372,211 <SALES> 417,309 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 426,245 <CGS> 344,879 <TOTAL-COSTS> 348,458<F3> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 59,464<F4> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,137 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,698 <INCOME-TAX> 4,600 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,098 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,098 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.21 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.20 <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. </FN>