<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                      85,925,126
<SECURITIES>                                22,036,026
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,337,537
<ALLOWANCES>                                   425,122
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           153,658,181
<PP&E>                                     134,169,571
<DEPRECIATION>                              55,755,497
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             238,516,523
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       61,632,781
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       300,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 161,244,742
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               238,516,523
<SALES>                                     66,840,310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            66,840,310
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               55,886,384
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,008,742
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,203,060
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,805,682
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,805,682
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26