<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Balance
Sheet at September 30, 1999, and the Statement of Income for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          19,101
<SECURITIES>                                     9,617
<RECEIVABLES>                                   94,416
<ALLOWANCES>                                    26,484
<INVENTORY>                                     10,976
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               218,583
<PP&E>                                          82,249
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,578
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,605,665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,702
<BONDS>                                        824,032
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,269
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,287,809
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,605,665
<SALES>                                        452,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               452,480
<CGS>                                          132,969
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  132,969
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (71)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                16,933
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,334
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (71,060)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (17,615)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (53,445)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (53,445)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.42)