
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OCTOBER
31, 1998 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR
THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE FOOTNOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,960
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,030
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,469
<INVENTORY>                                        718
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,337
<PP&E>                                         106,514
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 233,290
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,263
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           148
<OTHER-SE>                                     143,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   233,290
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,028
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,430
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,006
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,640
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,480
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,581
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,899
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,899
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34
        

</TABLE>
