<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          31,988
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,827
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,756
<PP&E>                                       1,252,575
<DEPRECIATION>                                (98,664)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,373,463
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          131,697
<BONDS>                                        800,124
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           354
<OTHER-SE>                                     456,021
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,373,463
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               661,712
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  544,680
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,447
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              44,255
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,330
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,744
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,586
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,586
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22