<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               Feb-28-1999
<CASH>                                           6,776
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      702
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,956
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                17,941
<PP&E>                                         463,587
<DEPRECIATION>                                 163,982
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,393
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,157
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,769
<OTHER-SE>                                     187,632<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,393
<SALES>                                        249,479
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               249,479
<CGS>                                          138,475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  138,475
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                77,872
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,446
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,832
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,941
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,891
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     12,891
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57
<FN>
<F1>Other stockholders' equity amount is less cost of treasury stock of
$105,804.
</FN>