<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRD FISCAL QUARTER.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          44,956
<SECURITIES>                                     3,899
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,395
<ALLOWANCES>                                       272
<INVENTORY>                                     29,325
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               139,757
<PP&E>                                         546,886
<DEPRECIATION>                                  87,797
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 681,915
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,871
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       101,347
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,747
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   681,915
<SALES>                                        376,264
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               376,264
<CGS>                                          365,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  365,272
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,019)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,155
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,144)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,776)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,368)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   $(.15)