<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This Financial Data Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Company's balance sheet and statement of income and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-1996 <CASH> 17,787 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 443,320 <ALLOWANCES> 73,155 <INVENTORY> 40,082 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 474,718 <PP&E> 1,501,337 <DEPRECIATION> 324,616 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,178,736 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 392,190 <BONDS> 1,023,651 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 581 <OTHER-SE> 585,072 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,178,736 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,036,453 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 858,452 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 68,302 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 53,464 <INCOME-PRETAX> 63,651 <INCOME-TAX> 16,277 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 47,374 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 47,374 <EPS-PRIMARY> .86 <EPS-DILUTED> .85