<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) 3/31/98
UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         507,895
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,078
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,142
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               595,922
<PP&E>                                         293,976
<DEPRECIATION>                                (23,336)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,048,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          121,415
<BONDS>                                        685,009
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,204
<OTHER-SE>                                     249,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,048,550
<SALES>                                          2,025
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,817
<CGS>                                            1,556
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,023
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,492
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   515
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,466
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (26,274)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       552
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (24,473)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,704)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (37,177)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.82)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.82)