
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          48,882
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  555,647<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                    26,608<F2>
<INVENTORY>                                     55,946
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               694,297
<PP&E>                                       1,869,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                 628,511
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,559,955
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          447,685
<BONDS>                                      1,085,234
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,415
<OTHER-SE>                                     856,237
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,559,955
<SALES>                                      2,431,942
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,442,254
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,205,043
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                78,384
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F3>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              69,545
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 89,282
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,569
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,569
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52
<FN>
<F1>EXCLUDES $43,167 OF LONG-TERM NOTES RECEIVABLE.
<F2>EXCLUDES $5,514 OF ALLOWANCE FOR LONG-TERM NOTES RECEIVABLE.
<F3>INCLUDED IN TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES LINE.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
