<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF THE COMPANY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND MARCH 31,
1998
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         274,000              66,759,659
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  469,000               3,502,985
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (10,000)                (10,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                 940,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,287,000              71,957,272
<PP&E>                                      22,197,000              33,796,973
<DEPRECIATION>                             (2,877,000)             (4,402,272)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              21,086,000             137,770,348
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,108,000              12,149,089
<BONDS>                                     42,649,000             139,936,749
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        1,000,000               1,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        14,000                  92,655
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,824,000              53,712,223
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                21,086,000             137,770,348
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,555,000               1,880,026
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               31,037,000              25,412,384
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,356,000               3,419,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (33,636,000)            (26,657,969)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                (25,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (33,636,000)            (26,682,969)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (33,706,000)            (26,682,969)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (5.19)                  (3.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (5.19)                  (3.65)