<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 statments.    
</LEGEND>                                          
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                         10,506
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  493,387
<ALLOWANCES>                                   77,747
<INVENTORY>                                    44,982
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               559,230
<PP&E>                                         1,774,096
<DEPRECIATION>                                 394,857
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,612,242
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          421,114
<BONDS>                                        1,334,861
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       584
<OTHER-SE>                                     673,645
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,612,242
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               637,091
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  537,245
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               32,711
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             30,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                37,756
<INCOME-TAX>                                   11,327
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            26,429
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   26,429
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.44