<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER
ENDING SEPTEMBER 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1,000
        
                              
 <PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
 <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
 <PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
 <PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1998
 <CASH>                                         40,091
 <SECURITIES>                                        0
 <RECEIVABLES>                                  38,617
 <ALLOWANCES>                                      522
 <INVENTORY>                                   210,947
 <CURRENT-ASSETS>                              295,988
 <PP&E>                                         24,444
 <DEPRECIATION>                                      0
 <TOTAL-ASSETS>                                490,338
 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         208,936
 <BONDS>                                       131,213
 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
 <PREFERRED>                                    25,788
 <COMMON>                                          113
 <OTHER-SE>                                    105,763
 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  490,338
 <SALES>                                     1,015,001
 <TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,158,505
 <CGS>                                       1,012,432
 <TOTAL-COSTS>                               1,012,432
 <OTHER-EXPENSES>                              108,875
 <LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
 <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             17,442
 <INCOME-PRETAX>                                19,780
 <INCOME-TAX>                                    7,550
 <INCOME-CONTINUING>                            12,230
 <DISCONTINUED>                                      0
 <EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
 <CHANGES>                                           0
 <NET-INCOME>                                   12,230
 <EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.08<F1>
 <EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.01
        
<FN>
<F1> EPS-BASIC
</FN>