<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         NOV-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                    27,012
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             48,255
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                              428,098
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                               0
<PP&E>                                                                     3,963
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           544,425
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                          0
<BONDS>                                                                  310,636
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                      71
<OTHER-SE>                                                               169,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             544,425
<SALES>                                                                  370,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         378,863
<CGS>                                                                    306,126
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         1,082
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           26,283
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              10,706
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                       15,577
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             (322)
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                              15,255
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               2.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               1.60
                                                                     

</TABLE>