<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             885
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,918
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,193
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,931
<PP&E>                                       1,536,399
<DEPRECIATION>                                 298,851
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,287,519
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          102,660
<BONDS>                                        768,372
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,432
<OTHER-SE>                                     373,033
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,287,519
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,353
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,346
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,693
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (286)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,373
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,426
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,778
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,648
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,648
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21