<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          23,281
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,450
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,169
<INVENTORY>                                      4,140
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,702
<PP&E>                                         181,010
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 351,755
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,423
<BONDS>                                        269,827
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       165,338
<OTHER-SE>                                   (109,423)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   351,755
<SALES>                                         66,230 <F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                66,230
<CGS>                                           19,506
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,634
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (932)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,617
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,817
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,289)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,289)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,289)
<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>