<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MAY 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                           34955
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   128357
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3008
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                195504
<PP&E>                                         1118128
<DEPRECIATION>                                  417799
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1151709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            90732
<BONDS>                                         630342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         12790
<OTHER-SE>                                      366060
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1151709
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                357949
<CGS>                                                0
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<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               36886
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  44661
<INCOME-TAX>                                     15503
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              29158
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37