<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED WITHIN THE COMPANY'S JUNE 30, 2000 FORM 10-Q 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> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 23,340
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 453,813
<ALLOWANCES> 119,992
<INVENTORY> 35,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 442,367
<PP&E> 1,276,684
<DEPRECIATION> 276,412
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,629,502
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 134,647
<BONDS> 457,366
0
0
<COMMON> 2,553
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,629,502
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,169,848
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 782,025
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 55,760
<LOSS-PROVISION> 101,411
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,960
<INCOME-PRETAX> 211,692
<INCOME-TAX> 83,090
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 128,602
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 128,602
<EPS-BASIC> .53
<EPS-DILUTED> .53
</TABLE>