<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 1997, THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                      MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                  9,924
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         300,140<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                           73,529
<INVENTORY>                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      191,820
<PP&E>                                                633,294
<DEPRECIATION>                                        312,628
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        794,823
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 185,861
<BONDS>                                               357,740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                  125
<OTHER-SE>                                            218,911
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          794,823
<SALES>                                                     0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      177,321
<CGS>                                                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         109,136<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        9,661<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       25,537
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     11,379
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         2,622
<INCOME-TAX>                                              100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     2,522
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                            2,522
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               0
<FN>
<F1>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM INSTALLMENT
CONTRACTS RECEIVABLE LINES IN THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS NET OF UNEARNED FINANCE CHARGES.
<F2>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE FITNESS CENTER OPERATIONS LINE AND THE
ADVERTISING LINE IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997.
<F3>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE MEMBER PROCESSING AND COLLECTION CENTERS
LINE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997.
</FN>