<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      41,940,810
<SECURITIES>                                   891,367
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,762,660
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,216,525
<INVENTORY>                                  3,276,224
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            58,654,536
<PP&E>                                     150,598,964
<DEPRECIATION>                              45,393,998
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             333,499,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       24,007,509
<BONDS>                                    249,966,046
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   160,428,204
<OTHER-SE>                                 104,093,805
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               333,499,447
<SALES>                                     25,070,779<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            25,070,779
<CGS>                                        7,034,391
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               23,534,511
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (2,321,141)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               117,611
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,211,844
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (3,354,435)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,354,435)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,354,435)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Includes both cellular and equipment revenue.
<F2>Primary earnings per share is not presented as the difference between
earnings per share and primary is insignificant.
<F3>Fully diluted EPS is not presented as it is anti-dilutive.
</FN>