<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 32,295,661 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 84,241,147 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 37,611,216 <PP&E> 121,182,641 <DEPRECIATION> (1,233,065) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 305,695,516 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 12,445,344 <BONDS> 65,430,808 <COMMON> 203,497 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 223,295,223 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 305,695,516 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,584,107 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,445,668 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,424,168 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,755,415 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,923,556 <INCOME-TAX> 3,232,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,691,556 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,691,556 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.18