<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT APRIL 30, 1999 AND THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<CASH>                                         207,871
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  945,363
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    248,201
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,221,186
<PP&E>                                       3,386,577
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,207,501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,013,780
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,493,141
<BONDS>                                        300,002
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,373
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,433,332
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,013,780
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,475,372
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,292,416
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               136,500
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,012
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,376
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,190
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (21,814)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (21,814)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.29)