<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 1 AND 2 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-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                      49,358,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              172,990,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           388,363,000
<PP&E>                                     216,667,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              60,231,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,950,943,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      497,285,000
<BONDS>                                  1,156,020,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,476,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 191,173,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,950,943,000
<SALES>                                    463,143,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           463,143,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              413,216,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            15,193,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          24,109,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             10,625,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,037,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,181,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,181,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13