<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, 1999. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 1,558 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,429 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 553,015 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F1> <PP&E> 12,093 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 608,419 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0<F1> <BONDS> 215,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 4 <COMMON> 117 <OTHER-SE> 209,166 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 608,419 <SALES> 569,455 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 569,455 <CGS> 484,483 <TOTAL-COSTS> 548,601 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 92 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 20,762 <INCOME-TAX> 7,993 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,769 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,769 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.57 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.43 <FN> <F1>The Company presents a condensed balance sheet. </FN>