<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED WITHIN THE COMPANY'S DECEMBER 31, 1998 FORM
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           8,574
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  320,637
<ALLOWANCES>                                    67,355
<INVENTORY>                                     25,086
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               317,582
<PP&E>                                         980,544
<DEPRECIATION>                                 201,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,161,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          143,172
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,519
<OTHER-SE>                                     820,670
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,161,400
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               305,496
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  202,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,084
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                29,095
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,360
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 50,953
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,998
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,955
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,955
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12