<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>