<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended February 29, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                             378
<SECURITIES>                                    46,580
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,606
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,353
<INVENTORY>                                      1,801
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,472
<PP&E>                                         142,471
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,735
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 220,227
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,951
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            11
<OTHER-SE>                                     134,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   220,227
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                76,624
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   69,612 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 392
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,245
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,258
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,987
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44