<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998             JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998             APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,772                   4,228
<SECURITIES>                                         0                     100
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,840                  31,768
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,907                   1,413
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,199                  16,231
<PP&E>                                         124,573                 111,945
<DEPRECIATION>                                  37,263                  28,750
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 191,093                 167,328
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,523                  20,446
<BONDS>                                         44,907                  60,487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           422                     420
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,808                  82,187
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   191,093                 167,328
<SALES>                                        129,459                 113,287
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               129,459                 113,287
<CGS>                                           38,671                  36,521
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   83,108                  73,756
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (111)                  1,649
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,061                   3,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,401                  34,701
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,341                  13,754
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,060                  20,947
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                   1,959
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,060                  18,988
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.56                    1.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.49                    1.11