<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED WITHIN THE COMPANY'S MARCH 31, 1999 FORM
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          20,185
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  243,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                    85,973
<INVENTORY>                                     25,931
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               336,630
<PP&E>                                       1,020,866
<DEPRECIATION>                                 214,526
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,207,498
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          143,407
<BONDS>                                         39,603
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,519
<OTHER-SE>                                     868,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,207,498
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               645,244
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  410,422
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                44,321
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                58,972
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,042
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                129,487
<INCOME-TAX>                                    50,825
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             78,662
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    78,662
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31