<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 45,192
<SECURITIES> 41,178<F1>
<RECEIVABLES> 576,320
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 1,758,298
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,836,110
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 505,305<F2>
0
0
<COMMON> 48,312
<OTHER-SE> 637,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,836,110
<SALES> 2,645,336
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,686,791
<CGS> 2,149,342
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,163,598<F3>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 340,276<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 22,327
<INCOME-PRETAX> 186,553
<INCOME-TAX> 50,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 136,553
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 136,553
<EPS-BASIC> 3.39
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.32
<FN>
<F1>Marketable securities are comprised of first mortgages and mortgage-backed
securities which are held for long-term investment. The mortgage-backed
securities serve as collateral for related collateralized mortgage obligations.
<F2>Bonds are comprised of senior and senior subordinated notes and collateralized
mortgage obligations.
<F3>Total Costs include interest expense on the collateralized mortgage
obligations, as the associated interest income generated from the
mortgage-backed securities is included in Total Revenues.
<F4>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses.
</FN>
</TABLE>
