<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999 <CASH> 11,362 <SECURITIES> 55,243<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 462,583 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,487,385 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,396,882 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 473,754<F2> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 47,900 <OTHER-SE> 583,502 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,396,882 <SALES> 682,209 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 694,143 <CGS> 559,945 <TOTAL-COSTS> 563,701<F3> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 96,308<F4> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,082 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,886 <INCOME-TAX> 8,700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,186 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,186 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.35 <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>