<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 32 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 7,393 <ALLOWANCES> 435 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 8,900 <PP&E> 122,527 <DEPRECIATION> 73,496 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 62,494 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,567 <BONDS> 35,884 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 27 <OTHER-SE> 18,263 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 62,494 <SALES> 31,370 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 31,370 <CGS> 25,253 <TOTAL-COSTS> 25,253 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,889 <LOSS-PROVISION> (118) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,774 <INCOME-PRETAX> 382 <INCOME-TAX> 19 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 363 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 363 <EPS-PRIMARY> .13 <EPS-DILUTED> 0