
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          56,868
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  700,851
<ALLOWANCES>                                    28,032
<INVENTORY>                                  1,442,867
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,205,867
<PP&E>                                         133,252
<DEPRECIATION>                                  68,639
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,344,506
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,426,569
<BONDS>                                        720,433
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           580
<OTHER-SE>                                     188,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,344,506
<SALES>                                      2,839,382
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,839,382
<CGS>                                        2,719,455
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,719,455
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                74,192
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   703
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,898
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,837
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,238
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,599
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,599
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42


</TABLE>
