<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,688
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    563,059
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          12,657
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 622,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                        215,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           122
<OTHER-SE>                                     219,644
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   622,594
<SALES>                                        939,885
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               939,885
<CGS>                                          797,401
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  902,090
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   364
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,432
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,410
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,022
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.58
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY PRESENTS A CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>