<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT APRIL 30, 1997 AND THE CONDENSED 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                         233,996
<SECURITIES>                                    39,059
<RECEIVABLES>                                  835,618
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     94,685
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,914,153
<PP&E>                                       2,708,587
<DEPRECIATION>                                 903,610
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,235,697
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,676,455
<BONDS>                                        300,464
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        52,446
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,579,438
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,235,697
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,619,894
<CGS>                                        6,586,956
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,602,676
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,524
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,218
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,317
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,009)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,009)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)