<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 1996 and the Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the nine months ended July 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                         228,603
<SECURITIES>                                   113,736
<RECEIVABLES>                                  572,016
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     60,224
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,531,219
<PP&E>                                       2,397,254
<DEPRECIATION>                                 787,462
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,598,418
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,402,995
<BONDS>                                          3,336
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        52,249
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,547,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,598,418
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,687,464
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,370,476
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,416
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                291,711
<INCOME-TAX>                                   102,486
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            189,225
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   189,225
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.24