<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 573,161 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 121,056 <ALLOWANCES> 6,983 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 912,324 <PP&E> 822,669 <DEPRECIATION> 50,075 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,779,568 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 343,471 <BONDS> 919,547 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,077 <OTHER-SE> 443,661 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,779,568 <SALES> 177,047 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 177,047 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 180,572 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (8,074) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,376 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9,827) <INCOME-TAX> (3,178) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,649) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,649) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.03) <EPS-DILUTED> (.03)