<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 3,465,537 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 24,035,916 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,838,594 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 27,874,510 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,580,495 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,222,785 <OTHER-SE> (6,198,771) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 27,874,510 <SALES> 19,345,274 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 19,407,686 <CGS> 19,279,534 <TOTAL-COSTS> 19,279,534 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,462,489 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 250,769 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,335,220) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,335,220) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,335,220) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.14) <EPS-DILUTED> 0