<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          11,338
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,720
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,188
<INVENTORY>                                      5,075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,991
<PP&E>                                         261,775
<DEPRECIATION>                                 103,963
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 431,796
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,700
<BONDS>                                        729,537
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       307,276
<OTHER-SE>                                   (654,457)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   431,796
<SALES>                                         91,005
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                91,005
<CGS>                                           20,364
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   74,987
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,600)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,982
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,074
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,456)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       525
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (11,981)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (11,981)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.53)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.53)<F1>
<FN>
<F1>(Sales)  Includes cellular, paging, and equipment revenue
</FN>