
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                             995
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,184
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,887
<INVENTORY>                                      1,687
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                93,012
<PP&E>                                         248,924
<DEPRECIATION>                                 125,975
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 334,578
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,410
<BONDS>                                        130,405
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           399
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,901
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   334,578
<SALES>                                        190,018
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               190,018
<CGS>                                          142,454
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,006
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,760
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,020
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,240
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,780
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,780
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10
        

</TABLE>
