<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM 09/30/98 UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         993,928
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,871
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,049)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,130,458
<PP&E>                                         481,399
<DEPRECIATION>                                (45,380)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,814,893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          222,844
<BONDS>                                      1,208,533
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,050
<OTHER-SE>                                     345,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,814,893
<SALES>                                          6,104
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               117,299
<CGS>                                            4,542
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   82,067
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               100,465
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,888
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,603
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (89,726)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,151
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (88,131)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,704)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (100,835)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.89)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.89)