<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 15,866,847 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,274,847 <ALLOWANCES> 308,305 <INVENTORY> 5,669,746 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 58,834,475 <PP&E> 152,232,501 <DEPRECIATION> 15,775,852 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 233,817,011 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,961,860 <BONDS> 87,912,690 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 23,691,984 <COMMON> 83,709 <OTHER-SE> 43,909,275 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 233,817,011 <SALES> 65,999,773 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 65,999,773 <CGS> 50,180,577 <TOTAL-COSTS> 56,256,133 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,699,876 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,530,587 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,530,587 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,530,587 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> .59