<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                           1,502
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      439
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,260
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,269
<PP&E>                                         430,320
<DEPRECIATION>                                 138,882
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 313,711
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,809
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,769
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,773<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   313,711
<SALES>                                        217,172
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               217,172
<CGS>                                          113,511
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,511
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                64,343
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,199
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,578
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,691
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,887
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,887
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77
<FN>
<F1>Other stockholders' equity amount is less cost of treasury stock of $85,243.
</FN>