<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>