<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated Statements of Operations and Balance Sheets and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> US Dollars <PERIOD-START> JAN-1-1998 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 1,198,994 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 26,732,965 <ALLOWANCES> 721,240 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,825,380 <PP&E> 66,215,205 <DEPRECIATION> 13,297,589 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 131,350,975 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,308,700 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 221,110 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 38,146,788 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 131,350,975 <SALES> 115,028,425 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 115,028,425 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 110,990,963 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,293,897 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,478,989 <INCOME-TAX> 251,953 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,227,036 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,227,036 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.15 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.14