<ARTICLE>  5
  <LEGEND>
  THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
  FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND 
  THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR 
  DECEMBER 31, 1998, 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-31-1998
  <PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
  <CASH>                                       1,465,303
  <SECURITIES>                                         0
  <RECEIVABLES>                               57,310,925
  <ALLOWANCES>                                 2,418,476
  <INVENTORY>                                          0
  <CURRENT-ASSETS>                            74,222,822
  <PP&E>                                     527,196,889 
  <DEPRECIATION>                             128,045,907
  <TOTAL-ASSETS>                             484,009,846
  <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       79,883,301
  <BONDS>                                    146,595,170
  <COMMON>                                       122,601
  <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
  <PREFERRED>                                          0
  <OTHER-SE>                             203,753,276
  <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               484,009,486
  <SALES>                                              0
  <TOTAL-REVENUES>                           528,841,314
  <CGS>                                                0
  <TOTAL-COSTS>                              481,918,595
  <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
  <LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
  <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           8,483,852
  <INCOME-PRETAX>                             39,792,425
  <INCOME-TAX>                                14,524,236
  <INCOME-CONTINUING>                         25,268,186
  <DISCONTINUED>                                       0
  <EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
  <CHANGES>                                            0
  <NET-INCOME>                                25,268,186
  <EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.06
  <EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.99