<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          11,492
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,880
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,947
<INVENTORY>                                      3,949
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,374
<PP&E>                                         169,426
<DEPRECIATION>                                  51,327
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 331,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,128
<BONDS>                                        245,845
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       168,117
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,135
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   331,837
<SALES>                                        115,196<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               115,196
<CGS>                                           32,165
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   98,843
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (7,459)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,231
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,208
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,396)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,396)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,396)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Includes both cellular and equipment revenue.
<F2>Primary EPS is not presented as the difference between basic EPS and primary
    EPS is not material.
<F3>Fully diluted EPS is not presented as all CS equivalents are antidilutive.
</FN>