<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-START>                              JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          13,288
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,954
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                41,537
<PP&E>                                          80,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,054
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 256,744
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,509
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           263
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,940
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   256,744
<SALES>                                         70,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,975
<CGS>                                           54,227
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,465
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,411
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,099
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,457
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,642
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21