<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED FOR THE QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 622 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6,217 <ALLOWANCES> 2,179 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 12,291 <PP&E> 327,370 <DEPRECIATION> 129,967 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 231,450 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,408 <BONDS> 203,903 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 61,963 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 231,450 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 34,431 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 25,878 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,174 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,157 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,379 <INCOME-TAX> 1,685 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,694 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,694 <EPS-PRIMARY> .04 <EPS-DILUTED> .04