<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,694
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  183,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               251,248
<PP&E>                                         321,852
<DEPRECIATION>                                 117,439
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 754,823
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          111,494
<BONDS>                                        312,582
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,048
<OTHER-SE>                                     287,733
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   754,823
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               538,452
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  574,880
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (5,871)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,917
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (43,474)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,701)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (34,773)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (34,773)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.45)