<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          32,380
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  311,480<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     54,713
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F2>
<PP&E>                                       2,330,326
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,077,193
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,817,846
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F2>
<BONDS>                                        940,282
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     653,030
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,817,846
<SALES>                                        107,192
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               760,136
<CGS>                                           62,639
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  533,795
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,841
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                126,579
<INCOME-TAX>                                    46,833
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             79,746
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              ( 2,004 )
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    77,742
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.36
<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>