<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-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 17,435 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 458,321 <ALLOWANCES> 78,447 <INVENTORY> 42,168 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 525,815 <PP&E> 1,705,900 <DEPRECIATION> 370,707 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,466,528 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 437,678 <BONDS> 1,229,930 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 583 <OTHER-SE> 639,834 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,466,528 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,147,232 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,772,570 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 141,833 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 107,243 <INCOME-PRETAX> 135,113 <INCOME-TAX> 35,242 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 99,871 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 99,871 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.73 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.72