<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                         209,951
<SECURITIES>                                     2,838
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,961
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,153
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               351,954
<PP&E>                                         814,887
<DEPRECIATION>                                 375,236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 984,136
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,705
<BONDS>                                        551,042
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,780
<OTHER-SE>                                     335,943
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   984,136
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               311,644
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  203,250
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,851
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,556
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,241
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,315
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,315
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23