<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,463
<SECURITIES>                                     7,908
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,257
<ALLOWANCES>                                       693
<INVENTORY>                                        505
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,248
<PP&E>                                          68,650
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,326
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  76,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,374
<BONDS>                                            974
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                      56,397
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    76,323
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,338
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   50,970
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (117)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 483
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,002
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,813
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,189
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52