<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,556
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   57,053
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,378
<PP&E>                                       1,315,399
<DEPRECIATION>                                 450,672
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 964,774
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,613
<BONDS>                                        563,379
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           259
<OTHER-SE>                                     314,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   964,774
<SALES>                                        253,530
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               254,211
<CGS>                                          154,184
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  154,184
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               104,205
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (34,973)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (13,958)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (21,015)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (21,015)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.41)