<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10Q DECEMBER 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMEMTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          39,043
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  336,358<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     49,645
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                       2,389,803
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,128,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,748,795
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        890,633
<COMMON>                                        10,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     685,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,748,795
<SALES>                                        136,666
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,009,228
<CGS>                                           81,917
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  778,563
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,734
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,684
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 92,330
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,120
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,210
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    58,210
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32
<FN>
<F1>THE VALUE FOR RECEIVABLES REPRESENTS THEIR AMOUNTS
NET OF THEIR ALLOWANCES.
<F2>AN UNCLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET EXISTS IN
THE REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</FN>