<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                             POUNDS STERLING
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 1.6765
<CASH>                                          43,875
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (8,097)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       2,233,753
<DEPRECIATION>                               (528,846)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,415,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    (1,448,820)
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                   (49,607)
<COMMON>                                      (92,757)
<OTHER-SE>                                   (527,658)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               (2,415,314)
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               110,424
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (39,458)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (42,721)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (68,748)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (68,728)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (68,728)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.07)