<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF 
OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 2, 3, AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE 
YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                     160,986,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              181,622,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           386,304,000
<PP&E>                                     219,148,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              46,169,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,912,898,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      435,235,000
<BONDS>                                  1,208,715,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,407,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 173,570,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,912,898,000
<SALES>                                    588,320,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           588,320,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              500,128,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            44,572,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,756,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          24,927,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             16,937,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,633,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,336,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           (33,015,000)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (27,679,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.92)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.90)