<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>