<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)