<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          17,929
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  214,557
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,700
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               345,721
<PP&E>                                         361,835
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,384
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,034,528
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          161,391
<BONDS>                                        308,375
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,656
<OTHER-SE>                                     517,217
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,034,528
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               702,649
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  586,131
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (3,098)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,977
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                101,639
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,112
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             63,527
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    63,527
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71