<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 11,849 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 80,091 <ALLOWANCES> 2,750 <INVENTORY> 1,915 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 98,991 <PP&E> 133,613 <DEPRECIATION> 81,147 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 517,323 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 77,796 <BONDS> 143,750 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3,300 <OTHER-SE> 257,196 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 517,323 <SALES> 315,713 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 315,713 <CGS> 150,281 <TOTAL-COSTS> 268,556 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,610 <INCOME-PRETAX> 43,516 <INCOME-TAX> 15,670 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 27,846 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 27,846 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.00 <EPS-DILUTED> .99