<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the body of the accompanying Form 10-K and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                             POUNDS STERLING
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 1.6427
<CASH>                                          29,582
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,834
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,507
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       2,186,971
<DEPRECIATION>                                 481,451
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,413,352
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,373,054
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     49,607
<COMMON>                                        92,757
<OTHER-SE>                                   (596,386)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               (2,413,352)
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               386,498
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  143,586
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             141,721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (332,315)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (137)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (332,452)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (332,452)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.36)