<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          68,129
<SECURITIES>                                    70,092
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,535
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,620
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               204,196
<PP&E>                                         126,165
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,417
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 378,884
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          112,322
<BONDS>                                        305,137
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                    (38,577)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   378,884
<SALES>                                        184,246
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               184,246
<CGS>                                          178,952
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  178,952
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                49,180
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,612
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (57,946)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (11,351)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (46,595)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (46,595)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0