<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                      60,994,698
<SECURITIES>                                78,911,968
<RECEIVABLES>                               68,151,775
<ALLOWANCES>                                 6,396,880
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           228,139,272
<PP&E>                                     125,614,458
<DEPRECIATION>                              25,555,285
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             450,591,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       81,913,031
<BONDS>                                    100,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       233,418
<OTHER-SE>                                 247,497,097
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               450,591,001
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           294,018,907
<CGS>                                      227,665,779
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              280,207,054
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,185,159
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (143,501)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,955,355
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,825,780
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,944,416
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,944,416
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20