<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