<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from this form 10-Q for the three months ending March 31, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 59,379,969 0 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 3,299,744 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 81,338,731 0 <PP&E> 637,077,238 0 <DEPRECIATION> 103,568,475 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 655,669,994 0 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 68,187,291 0 <BONDS> 380,294,578 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 49,537,562 0 <OTHER-SE> 25,694,635 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 665,669,994 0 <SALES> 124,222,043 102,982,244 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 124,222,043 102,982,244 <CGS> 0 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 105,296,222 86,416,596 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,926,358 7,417,599 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,244,258 9,586,016 <INCOME-TAX> 5,103,150 4,472,809 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,141,108 5,113,207 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,141,108 5,113,207 <EPS-PRIMARY> 40.05 28.49 <EPS-DILUTED> 38.28 27.21