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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                          (AMENDMENT NO. ___________)*

                         American Homestar Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Name of Issuer)

                             Series C Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  026652 10 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                    12/31/02
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

         Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:

                  [X]    Rule 13d-1(b)

                  [ ]    Rule 13d-1(c)

                  [ ]    Rule 13d-1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act,
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).


PERSONS WHO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE
NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE FORM DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL
NUMBER.

SEC 1745 (03-00)



CUSIP NO. 026652 10 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.    Names of Reporting Persons.
        I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).

        The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
        39-0509570
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2.    Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
        (a) [ ]
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        (b) [ ]
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3.    SEC Use Only


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4.    Citizenship or Place of Organization

        Wisconsin
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Number of             5.      Sole Voting Power

      Shares                       815,594
                           -----------------------------------------------------
   Beneficially            6.      Shared Voting Power

     Owned by                      0
                           -----------------------------------------------------
       Each                7.      Sole Dispositive Power

     Reporting                     815,594
                           -----------------------------------------------------
   Person With:            8.      Shared Dispositive Power

                                   0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9.    Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

        815,594
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10.    Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
        (See Instructions)

        N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11.    Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

        16.8% (Based on total issued Series C shares of 4,869,250 shares per
        Craig A. Reynolds, Executive Vice President and CFO)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12.    Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
        IC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




CERTIFICATION

         By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the
ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the
purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

                                    SIGNATURE

         After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

January 10, 2003

                                               THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
                                               INSURANCE COMPANY


                                               By: /s/ Carol L. Kracht
                                                       Vice President