<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         105,230
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  422,147<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                    18,505<F2>
<INVENTORY>                                     30,439
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               626,318
<PP&E>                                       1,797,163
<DEPRECIATION>                                 638,834
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,073,469
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          344,017
<BONDS>                                        686,941
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,989
<OTHER-SE>                                     851,516
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,073,469
<SALES>                                      3,217,099
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,230,300
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,888,021
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               151,060
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F3>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              82,713
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                108,506
<INCOME-TAX>                                    49,913
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,593
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    58,593
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57
<FN>
<F1>Excludes $23,481 of long-term notes receivable.
<F2>Excludes $2,917 of allowance for long-term notes receivable.
<F3>Included in Total costs and expenses line.
</FN>