<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                            4061
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   134787
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2973
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                169873
<PP&E>                                         1049448
<DEPRECIATION>                                  401779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1073620
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           108063
<BONDS>                                         544786
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         12786
<OTHER-SE>                                      359554
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1073620
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                235097
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   146201
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               24778
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  34267
<INCOME-TAX>                                     11359
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              22908
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     22908
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29