<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,543
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    540,233
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          12,561
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 589,405
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        215,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         20
<COMMON>                                            93
<OTHER-SE>                                     203,016
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   589,405
<SALES>                                        242,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               242,110
<CGS>                                          206,202
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  234,448
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    48
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,614
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,931
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,683
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,683
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.53
<FN>
<F1>The Company presents a condensed balance sheet.
</FN>