<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998             JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,390                   5,112
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
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<PP&E>                                         118,108                 123,508
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,734                  24,816
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 181,211                 156,673
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,014                  23,982
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<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           421                     420
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   181,211                 156,673
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<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,324                  35,942
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<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,619                  23,569
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,122                   1,011
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,193                  11,191
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,642                   4,604
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<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                   (482)
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<NET-INCOME>                                     8,551                       0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48                     .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48                     .35