<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 1996 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                           14766
<SECURITIES>                                      6581
<RECEIVABLES>                                    39662
<ALLOWANCES>                                       668
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 75909
<PP&E>                                          537156
<DEPRECIATION>                                  414814
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  222466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            22455
<BONDS>                                           1473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          9364
<OTHER-SE>                                      182419
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    222466
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 80639
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    56807
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  53
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   5013
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2775
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               2238
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      2238
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04