<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> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1995 <CASH> 4963 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 428,797 <ALLOWANCES> 58,632 <INVENTORY> 34,097 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 403,713 <PP&E> 1,356,767 <DEPRECIATION> 288,410 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,946,404 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 398,291 <BONDS> 1,013,423 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 20,112 <COMMON> 449 <OTHER-SE> 372,577 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,946,404 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,842,701 <CGS> 2 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,542,912 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 122,193 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 109,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 87,084 <INCOME-TAX> 15,772 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 71,312 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 71,312 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.53 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.51