<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the financial statements included within the Company's December 31,
1997 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      72,387,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              201,184,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                55,514,000
<INVENTORY>                                 16,645,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           257,914,000
<PP&E>                                     644,195,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             150,720,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             768,741,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       99,656,000
<BONDS>                                     47,835,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        1,636,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                 587,699,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               768,741,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           234,570,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              161,108,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            10,172,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            21,972,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             433,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             40,885,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                16,048,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         24,837,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                24,837,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0