<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AT MARCH 31, 1998, SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND
MARCH 31, 1999, AND CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND MARCH 31, 1999 AND ARE
QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS               3-MOS               6-MOS               6-MOS               12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    SEP-30-1999         SEP-30-1998         SEP-30-1999         SEP-30-1998          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                       JAN-01-1999         JAN-01-1998         OCT-01-1998         OCT-01-1997          OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                         MAR-31-1999         MAR-31-1998         MAR-31-1999         MAR-31-1998          SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                    98,659             104,979              98,659             104,979               62,444
<SECURITIES>                              53,266              64,370              53,266              64,370               46,038
<RECEIVABLES>                             98,774             132,097              98,774             132,097              115,974
<ALLOWANCES>                               5,620               5,634               5,620               5,634                5,637
<INVENTORY>                               65,678              61,288              65,678              61,288               52,367
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         319,536             370,943             319,356             370,943              281,247
<PP&E>                                 1,223,051           1,217,432           1,223,051           1,217,432            1,250,055
<DEPRECIATION>                           697,068             545,492             697,068             545,492              676,422
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           864,267           1,079,860             864,267           1,079,860              879,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    195,859             215,210             195,859             215,210              183,629
<BONDS>                                  390,071             398,558             390,071             398,558              388,248
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<PREFERRED>                                    0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<COMMON>                                       5                   5                   5                   5                    5
<OTHER-SE>                               218,988             395,061             218,988             395,061              233,924
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             864,267           1,079,860             864,267           1,079,860              879,800
<SALES>                                  206,187             187,072             436,375             448,443              808,622
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         206,187             187,072             436,375             448,443              808,622
<CGS>                                    194,932             217,486             390,259             564,624              941,402
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            194,932             217,486             390,259             564,624              941,402
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          31,287              33,140              62,308              64,367              220,130
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         6,905               7,666              14,273              14,965               29,648
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         (19,557)            (62,121)            (18,387)           (177,819)            (344,324)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (139)                  50                (91)            (24,719)             (24,577)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (19,418)            (62,171)            (18,296)           (153,100)            (319,747)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<CHANGES>                                      0                   0                   0                   0                    0
<NET-INCOME>                            (19,418)            (62,171)            (18,296)           (153,100)            (319,747)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             (0.39)              (1.29)              (0.37)              (3.17)               (6.59)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (0.39)              (1.29)              (0.37)              (3.17)               (6.59)
        

</TABLE>