<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           5,339
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,635
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,536
<PP&E>                                         879,737
<DEPRECIATION>                                 256,645
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 701,358
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,644
<BONDS>                                        336,380
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                     251,112
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   701,358
<SALES>                                        222,676
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               223,335
<CGS>                                          100,329
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,329
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                63,339
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,467
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,043
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,796
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,796
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.10