<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30,1998, AND 
THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30,1998, AND THE NOTES RELATED THERETO AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         495,145
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               53,357,329
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,663,737
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            70,471,473
<PP&E>                                     435,672,465
<DEPRECIATION>                             113,777,494
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             400,338,654
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       59,009,912
<BONDS>                                     89,609,709
<COMMON>                                       122,596
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 189,686,651
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               400,338,654
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           133,624,361
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              120,815,512
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,265,073
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             10,938,575
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,992,579
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,945,996
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,945,996
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .54