<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND 
THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR 
DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND THE NOTES RELATED THERETO AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,153,993
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               33,532,998
<ALLOWANCES>                                   514,610
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            50,202,074
<PP&E>                                     333,456,586 
<DEPRECIATION>                              96,240,862
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             290,661,714
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       43,031,619
<BONDS>                                     45,373,288
<COMMON>                                       120,096
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 154,091,288
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               290,661,714
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           340,235,583
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              316,408,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,844,062
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             19,470,401
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,031,357
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         12,439,044
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                12,439,044
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02