<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
FOUND ON PAGES 1, 2, AND 3 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                     170,459,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              140,219,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           345,116,000
<PP&E>                                     159,103,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              41,169,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             897,114,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      233,693,000
<BONDS>                                    391,550,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,387,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 143,475,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               897,114,000
<SALES>                                    216,097,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           216,097,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              175,621,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            14,498,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,070,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,401,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             17,507,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,003,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,628,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,628,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26