<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Operations found on
pages 3 and 4 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the six months ended March 31,
1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements
and accompanying footnotes.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      21,581,911
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,201,756<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  2,261,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,860,579
<PP&E>                                     181,091,339
<DEPRECIATION>                              31,906,727
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             238,638,017
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       25,188,320
<BONDS>                                    105,394,097<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   103,542,923
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,484,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               238,638,017
<SALES>                                    111,150,322
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           112,512,702
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               56,996,866
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            51,564,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,832,654
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (633,707)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   325,092
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (308,615)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (308,615)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.03)
<FN>
<F1>RECEIVABLES ARE PRESENTED NET OF ALLOWANCES.
<F2>LONG TERM DEBT DUE AFTER ONE YEAR; NET OF UNAMORTIZED DISCOUNT.
</FN>