<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          32,323
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,842
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,775
<PP&E>                                         754,234
<DEPRECIATION>                                (45,083)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 883,761
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,357
<BONDS>                                        407,811   
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           352
<OTHER-SE>                                     408,946
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   883,761
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               190,385
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  156,252
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   270
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,421
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,442
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,325
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,117
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  7,733
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,616)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>The Company believes historical earnings per share are not meaningful due to
predecessor entities being organized as S corporations, partnerships and
limited liability companies. Rather, pro forma earnings per share are a more
meaningful measure of the Company's results of operations for the period
presented. Pro forma earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 1996
was $0.93.
</FN>