<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 1997 QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          10,144
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,613
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,519
<INVENTORY>                                      2,454
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               104,792
<PP&E>                                         644,889
<DEPRECIATION>                                 191,624
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 560,438
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,404
<BONDS>                                        266,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           313
<OTHER-SE>                                     207,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   560,438
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               193,051
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  186,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,398
<INCOME-TAX>                                       940
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,458
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,458
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05
<FN>
<F1>PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS INCLUDED IN COSTS AND EXPENSES APPLICABLE
TO REVENUES.
</FN>