<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                           5,765
<SECURITIES>                                     1,329
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,829
<INVENTORY>                                        661
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,587
<PP&E>                                         116,132
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,099
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,382
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,649
<BONDS>                                         51,994
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            96
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,537
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   142,382
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,947
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   29,163
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   144
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 866
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,774
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,306
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,468
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24