<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S SECOND QUARTER 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                       3,445,638
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,336,106
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 73,754,148
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            89,408,822
<PP&E>                                      82,543,846
<DEPRECIATION>                              38,501,916
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             181,225,696
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       65,051,537
<BONDS>                                     95,958,841
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 11,500,000
<COMMON>                                        34,452
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,251,439)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               181,225,696
<SALES>                                    175,548,248
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           175,548,248
<CGS>                                       88,617,435
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               75,472,961
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,948,808
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,509,044
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,572,054
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,936,990
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,936,990
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34