<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          25,516
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,289
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    399,583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          11,120
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 476,416
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        215,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         20
<COMMON>                                            93
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,254
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   476,416
<SALES>                                        376,949
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               376,949
<CGS>                                          323,111
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  368,006
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (201)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,144
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,520
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,624
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,624
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .59
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY PRESENTS A CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>