<ARTICLE>     5
<MULTIPLIER>  1

       
                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                     DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                          SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                122,645,949
<SECURITIES>                                            9,747,199
<RECEIVABLES>                                          17,440,574
<ALLOWANCES>                                            1,350,000
<INVENTORY>                                                     0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                0
<PP&E>                                              1,302,496,935
<DEPRECIATION>                                        199,156,875
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,334,513,042
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                           0
<BONDS>                                               518,379,377
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                           0
<PREFERRED>                                               900,000
<COMMON>                                                  403,909
<OTHER-SE>                                            742,378,913
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,334,513,042
<SALES>                                               141,294,177
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      141,294,177
<CGS>                                                  36,665,881
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          36,665,881
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     22,252,562
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        62,290,240
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    62,290,240
<DISCONTINUED>                                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
<CHANGES>                                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                           62,290,240
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                1.33
        
<FN>
Financial Data Schedule information has been extracted from the Registrant's
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (non-classified) as of September 30, 1997
and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months then
ended.
</FN>