<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 12/31/98
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         998,510
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  183,963
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (9,533)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,293,357
<PP&E>                                         736,811
<DEPRECIATION>                                (93,767)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,614,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          411,059
<BONDS>                                      1,792,314
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,073
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,830
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,614,602
<SALES>                                        372,392
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               372,392
<CGS>                                          238,106
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  238,106
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               302,527
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             131,011
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (248,004)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,752
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (243,052)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 12,704
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (255,756)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.59)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.59)