<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Registrant's
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position for the six months ended June 30,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>             1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                            41,445
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    212,602
<ALLOWANCES>                                        (741)
<INVENTORY>                                    3,587,834
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       0
<PP&E>                                           149,258
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (16,872)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 4,809,697
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  0
<BONDS>                                        3,278,619
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                             359
<OTHER-SE>                                       634,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   4,809,697
<SALES>                                        1,086,670
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1,086,670
<CGS>                                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    929,668
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   5,521
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   1,524
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                96,818
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   53,139
<INCOME-TAX>                                      23,381
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               29,758
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      29,758
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        .86