<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>