<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements included within the Company's December 31, 1996 Form 10-Q
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      59,385,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              112,513,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 19,967,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           205,925,000
<PP&E>                                     518,511,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             115,156,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             623,698,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       84,866,000
<BONDS>                                     65,960,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,065,000        
<OTHER-SE>                                 437,112,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               623,698,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           199,162,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              137,687,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            19,348,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,075,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             32,722,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                12,845,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         19,877,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                19,877,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0