<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 12/31/97
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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>                                         318,766
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,079
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,085
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               387,139
<PP&E>                                         253,025
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,128
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 780,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,873
<BONDS>                                        639,359
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,761
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,206
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   780,461
<SALES>                                          5,798
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,098
<CGS>                                            5,513
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,719
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                91,183
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,303
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              39,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (118,181)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,482
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (116,986)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (116,986)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0