<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,925
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,471
<INVENTORY>                                      3,834
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,409
<PP&E>                                         183,127
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,140
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 343,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,114
<BONDS>                                        264,232
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       165,344
<OTHER-SE>                                   (110,051)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   343,779
<SALES>                                        104,348
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,348
<CGS>                                           29,526
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,495
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   705
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,959
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,064
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,916)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,916)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,916)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F1><F2><F3>
<FN>
<F1>(Sales) Includes both Cellular and Equipment Revenue.
<F2>(EPS-Primary) Primary EPS is not presented as the difference between basic
EPS and Primary EPS is not material.
<F3>(EPS- Fully Diluted) Fully diluted EPS is not presented as all CS
equivalents are antidilutive.
</FN>