<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           2,892
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,946
<ALLOWANCES>                                       814
<INVENTORY>                                      6,392
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,990
<PP&E>                                         223,342
<DEPRECIATION>                                 133,026
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,678
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,143
<BONDS>                                         49,907
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,814
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,678
<SALES>                                        106,150
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               106,150
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   98,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,882
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,928)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,441)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,487)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,487)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.28)