<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-1-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 5,589,307 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,367,167 <ALLOWANCES> (368,029) <INVENTORY> 15,619,085 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 46,223,019 <PP&E> 650,030,198 <DEPRECIATION> (232,136,950) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 485,567,299 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,461,148 <BONDS> 312,006,501 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 109,119,697 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 485,567,299 <SALES> $143,947,730 <TOTAL-REVENUES> $143,947,730 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 113,070,990 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,084,361 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,554,397 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,554,397 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,554,397 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0