<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO REFLECT THE DECEMBER 12, 1997
THREE-FOR-TWO STOCK SPLIT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          19,840
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,734
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,552
<PP&E>                                         118,176
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 544,873
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           92,676
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          110,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           296
<OTHER-SE>                                     255,408
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   544,873
<SALES>                                        383,175
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               391,051
<CGS>                                          295,288
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  336,294
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,373
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,224
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,614
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94