<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements included within the Company's June 30, 1999 Form 10Q
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                      11,722,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              402,284,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               103,305,000
<INVENTORY>                                 29,698,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           372,944,000
<PP&E>                                   1,184,192,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             218,358,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,454,534,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      179,065,000
<BONDS>                                    308,122,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,516,000
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,454,534,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           997,717,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              660,248,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            44,808,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            94,930,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,448,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            193,283,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                75,864,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        117,419,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               117,419,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46