<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,508
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,738
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,901
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,733
<PP&E>                                       1,440,895
<DEPRECIATION>                                 292,705
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,199,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          141,971
<BONDS>                                        659,369
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,427
<OTHER-SE>                                     357,149
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,199,800
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               443,059
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  218,738
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,181
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   899
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 96,379
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,660
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,719
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (524)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,195
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74