<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>