<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                          16,533
<SECURITIES>                                     2,115
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,108
<ALLOWANCES>                                       715
<INVENTORY>                                        661
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,334
<PP&E>                                          63,498
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  84,155
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,902
<BONDS>                                         11,416
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            98
<OTHER-SE>                                      52,480
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    84,155
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,340
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    39
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 221
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,809
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,038
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,771
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20