
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,017
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   88,338
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,012
<INVENTORY>                                      1,637
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,656
<PP&E>                                         256,344
<DEPRECIATION>                                 130,288
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 349,270
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,517
<BONDS>                                        135,304
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           404
<OTHER-SE>                                     139,249
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   349,270
<SALES>                                        295,392
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               295,392
<CGS>                                          218,690
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  218,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,082
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,304
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,562
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,742
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,742
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
        

</TABLE>
