<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1998 <CASH> 3,730 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 683 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 5,939 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 16,140 <PP&E> 500,023 <DEPRECIATION> 165,640 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 368,765 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 39,397 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 8,769 <OTHER-SE> 213,953<F1> <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 368,765 <SALES> 247,876 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 247,876 <CGS> 139,458 <TOTAL-COSTS> 139,458 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 75,874 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,525 <INCOME-PRETAX> 20,416 <INCOME-TAX> 7,268 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,148 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,148 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.57 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.57 <FN> <F1>Other stockholders' equity amount is less cost of treasury stock of $92,907. </FN>