<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