<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MARCH 31,
1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,858
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,436
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,020
<PP&E>                                       1,025,523
<DEPRECIATION>                                 295,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 829,566
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,530
<BONDS>                                        357,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           129
<OTHER-SE>                                     333,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   829,566
<SALES>                                         99,115
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                99,234
<CGS>                                           38,690
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,391
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,975
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,869
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,989
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,989
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82