<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> POUNDS STERLING
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1.666
<CASH>                                          26,295
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,795
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,464
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       2,288,903
<DEPRECIATION>                                 575,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,392,593
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    (1,508,496)
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                   (49,607)
<COMMON>                                      (92,757)
<OTHER-SE>                                   (451,296)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               (2,392,593)
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               225,877
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   79,238
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              82,388
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (145,093)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         3
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (145,090)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (145,090)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16