<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 1997 and consolidated statement of
operations for the six months ended June 30, 1997 included in the Company's Form
10-Q, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         314,367
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,224
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,301
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               449,759
<PP&E>                                         343,582
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,289
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 790,091
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          155,745
<BONDS>                                        250,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,020
<OTHER-SE>                                     320,243
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   790,091
<SALES>                                        301,366
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               301,366
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  321,108
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (9,281)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (15,188)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (4,800)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,388)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,388)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.12)