<ARTICLE>      5
<MULTIPLIER>   1
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         54,498,438
<SECURITIES>                                   13,401,157
<RECEIVABLES>                                  17,794,160
<ALLOWANCES>                                    1,350,000
<INVENTORY>                                             0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        0
<PP&E>                                      1,057,560,887
<DEPRECIATION>                                173,591,070
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,035,286,677
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<BONDS>                                       372,517,640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                       900,000
<COMMON>                                          361,680
<OTHER-SE>                                    602,967,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,035,286,677
<SALES>                                       124,943,673
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              124,943,673
<CGS>                                          32,516,169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  32,516,169
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             20,320,905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                54,199,610
<INCOME-TAX>                                            0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            54,199,610
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                   54,199,610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        1.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        1.19
<FN>
Financial Data Schedule information has been extracted from the Registrant's
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (non-classified) as of September 30, 1996
and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months then
ended.