<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPRATIONS OF THE
MIDLAND CORPORATION VENTURE FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 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>                                         172,341
<SECURITIES>                                   137,960
<RECEIVABLES>                                   89,861
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,616
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               313,187
<PP&E>                                       2,394,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                 586,877
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,288,487
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          218,832
<BONDS>                                      1,774,997
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     293,865
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,288,487
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               159,978
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  107,950
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,409
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,644
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0