<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES 1 AND 2 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                     326,243,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              151,620,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,508,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           497,939,000
<PP&E>                                     141,824,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              34,376,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             891,530,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      218,924,000
<BONDS>                                    391,926,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,330,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 136,234,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               891,530,000
<SALES>                                  1,021,662,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,021,662,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              830,248,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           102,069,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            47,456,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          39,324,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,565,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,025,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,408,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              5,253,000
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (10,661,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0