<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1997 and consolidated statement
of operations for the nine months ended September 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>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         186,731
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,138
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,419
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               438,435
<PP&E>                                         481,099
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,283
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 908,478
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          217,374
<BONDS>                                        250,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,033
<OTHER-SE>                                     412,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   908,478
<SALES>                                        490,321
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               490,321
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  490,203
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (13,222)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,886
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,454
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,191
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,263
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,263
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02