<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 1,267 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 7,114 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 361,945 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F1> <PP&E> 16,500 <DEPRECIATION> 4,908 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 399,595 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F1> <BONDS> 115,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 20 <COMMON> 83 <OTHER-SE> 179,173 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 399,595 <SALES> 851,101 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 851,101 <CGS> 735,849 <TOTAL-COSTS> 833,445 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (538) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 18,194 <INCOME-TAX> 7,005 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,189 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,189 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.15 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.15 <FN> <F1>The Company presents a condensed balance sheet. </FN>