<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 6/30/98
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         477,966
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,997
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               605,591
<PP&E>                                         363,549
<DEPRECIATION>                                (32,702)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,134,110
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,709
<BONDS>                                        683,680
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,724
<OTHER-SE>                                     251,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,134,110
<SALES>                                          3,675
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,465
<CGS>                                            2,738
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,218
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                46,814
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,234
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,594
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (52,909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,381
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (50,653)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,704)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (63,357)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.27)