<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
   This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements and related notes.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              JUN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-30-1995
<CASH>                                          78,841
<SECURITIES>                                   150,126
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,648,340
<ALLOWANCES>                                (   34,581)
<INVENTORY>                                    196,982
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0  <F1>
<PP&E>                                       1,212,017
<DEPRECIATION>                              (  556,222)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,148,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0  <F1>
<BONDS>                                      2,205,152
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0  <F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0  <F1>
<COMMON>                                           549
<OTHER-SE>                                     359,370
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,148,392
<SALES>                                        626,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               758,284
<CGS>                                          499,627
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  104,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                33,491
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,660
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             109,493
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,975
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,828
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (      853)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0  <F1>
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0  <F1>
<CHANGES>                                            0  <F1>
<NET-INCOME>                                (      853)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               (      .02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0  <F1>
<FN>
<F1>This line item is not presented on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
</FN>