<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             105
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   135989
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      21451
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                173401
<PP&E>                                          824421
<DEPRECIATION>                                  264147
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  960097
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           160738
<BONDS>                                         274430
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           321
<OTHER-SE>                                      440534
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    960097
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                862089
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   633476
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 79133
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 72809
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               15843
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  60828
<INCOME-TAX>                                     21826
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              39002
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     39002
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29

<FN>
NOTE: The EPS-PRIMARY and EPS-fully diluted reflect the impact of a 2 for 1
stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend which was paid on May 17, 1996
to shareholders of record as of May 6, 1996.
</FN>