<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
ACCOMPANYING FOOTNOTES.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                      21,587,485
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,033,876<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,596,055
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,507,612
<PP&E>                                     180,706,931
<DEPRECIATION>                              34,293,783
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             204,186,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       25,258,220
<BONDS>                                    104,731,559<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   103,593,432
<OTHER-SE>                                (33,490,667)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               204,186,346
<SALES>                                    171,366,640
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           173,356,390
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               87,689,037
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           114,925,767
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           8,020,139<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (35,332,828)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (49,544)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (35,283,284)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (35,283,284)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.82)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.82)
<FN>
<F1>RECEIVABLES ARE PRESENTED NET OF ALLOWANCES.
<F2>LONG TERM DEBT DUE AFTER ONE YEAR, NET OF UNAMORTIZED DISCOUNT.
<F3>NET OF INTEREST INCOME.
</FN>