<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS 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>                                          35,090
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,585
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (720)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,599
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               112,439
<PP&E>                                       1,310,625
<DEPRECIATION>                               (109,334)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,446,970
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          181,209
<BONDS>                                        795,718
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           355
<OTHER-SE>                                     466,993
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,446,970
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               197,233
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  165,769
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   777
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,276
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,411
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,092
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,092
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25