<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED WITHIN THE COMPANY'S SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FORM 10-K
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 16,471
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 462,185
<ALLOWANCES> 118,602
<INVENTORY> 39,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 486,963
<PP&E> 1,352,819
<DEPRECIATION> 287,489
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,772,065
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 169,782
<BONDS> 520,151
0
0
<COMMON> 2,554
<OTHER-SE> 1,027,512
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,772,065
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,577,767
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,027,929
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 112,617
<LOSS-PROVISION> 135,862
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,364
<INCOME-PRETAX> 275,995
<INCOME-TAX> 108,328
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 167,667
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 167,667
<EPS-BASIC> .69
<EPS-DILUTED> .68
</TABLE>