<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>                                   MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                         13,826
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  431,708
<ALLOWANCES>                                   69,272
<INVENTORY>                                    39,275
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               467,022
<PP&E>                                         1,529,633
<DEPRECIATION>                                 346,189
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,186,098
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          390,114
<BONDS>                                        1,008,303
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       582
<OTHER-SE>                                     615,104
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,186,098
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1,594,319
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1,315,636
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               103,610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             79,850
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                103,774
<INCOME-TAX>                                   27,110
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            76,664
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   76,664
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.34