<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED FOR THE PERIOD ENDING AUGUST 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 521 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,535 <ALLOWANCES> 1,629 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,368 <PP&E> 333,616 <DEPRECIATION> 136,637 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 229,521 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,093 <BONDS> 294,665 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 61,963 <OTHER-SE> 161,271 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 229,521 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 70,745 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 54,952 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 642 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,375 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,322 <INCOME-TAX> 2,443 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,879 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,879 <EPS-PRIMARY> .06 <EPS-DILUTED> .06