<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10-Q FOR MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      69,470,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              102,026,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 16,388,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           190,206,000
<PP&E>                                     409,229,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              93,308,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             520,703,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       55,462,000
<BONDS>                                     71,545,000
<COMMON>                                       704,000      
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 361,531,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               520,703,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           336,769,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              237,749,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            31,803,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,342,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             65,875,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                25,856,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                40,019,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0