<ARTICLE> 5
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      29,086,728
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,267,644
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,944,157
<INVENTORY>                                  4,271,189
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            45,681,404
<PP&E>                                     158,292,138
<DEPRECIATION>                              48,878,580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             327,779,570
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       17,317,589
<BONDS>                                    249,780,268
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   166,165,515
<OTHER-SE>                                 108,827,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               327,779,570
<SALES>                                     48,660,970
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            48,660,970
<CGS>                                       13,882,440
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               47,165,749
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,820,079
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               258,412
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          14,403,886
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (8,088,586)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (8,088,586)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (8,088,586)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>
SALES:  Includes both cellular and equipment revenue.

EPS-PRIMARY:  Primary earnings per share is not presented as the difference 
between basic EPS and primary EPS is insignificant.

EPS-DILUTED:  Fully diluted EPS is not presented as all CS-equivalents are 
anti-dilutive.
</FN>