<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
REGISTRANT'S  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEET AND CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF NET  EARNINGS AT AND FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED  OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          Jul-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               Jan-31-1997
<CASH>                                          10,906
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    122,730
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 164,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            79
<OTHER-SE>                                      69,274
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   164,341
<SALES>                                         48,066
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,681
<CGS>                                           39,521
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   46,248
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,188
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,245
<INCOME-TAX>                                       590
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                655
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       655
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08