<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 37,541,122 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 105,631,611 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 40,821,078 <PP&E> 58,741,448 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 249,973,700 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,763,109 <BONDS> 56,755,000 <COMMON> 169,965 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 180,988,331 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 249,973,700 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 9,085,510 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 659,868 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,159,558 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,266,084 <INCOME-TAX> 2,213,007 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,053,077 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,053,077 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.18