<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                          34,677
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,336
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,533
<INVENTORY>                                  1,198,553
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,257,033
<PP&E>                                          25,901
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,917,834
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          355,707
<BONDS>                                        798,838
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,815
<OTHER-SE>                                     709,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,917,834
<SALES>                                      2,089,762
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,416,865
<CGS>                                        1,641,741
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,711,020
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               418,103
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              47,628
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                240,114
<INCOME-TAX>                                    96,046
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            144,068
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   144,068
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.59<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.49
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic EPS in accordance with SFAS 128.
</FN>