<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 9,487,839 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 91,197,423 <ALLOWANCES> 4,135,749 <INVENTORY> 4,099,362 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 105,141,583 <PP&E> 68,730,187 <DEPRECIATION> 21,698,808 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 322,419,177 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,217,669 <BONDS> 150,267,999 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 246,544 <OTHER-SE> 144,686,965 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 322,419,177 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 71,107,221 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 34,325,569 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,191,477 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,824,043 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,554,599 <INCOME-TAX> 3,535,202 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,019,397 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,019,397 <EPS-PRIMARY> .24 <EPS-DILUTED> .24