<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME ON PAGES 3-5 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDING
FEBRUARY 28, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                          79,988
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,846,265
<ALLOWANCES>                                    44,202
<INVENTORY>                                    281,636
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,449,563
<PP&E>                                      11,890,954
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,275,918
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,815,518
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,295,827
<BONDS>                                      1,161,484
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,692,312
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,815,518
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,330,127
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,764,842
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,816
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                486,239
<INCOME-TAX>                                   196,927
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   289,312
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0