<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME FOR THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       132,523
<SECURITIES>                                  83,461  
<RECEIVABLES>                              1,610,761  
<ALLOWANCES>                                  39,285
<INVENTORY>                                        0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           2,464,839
<PP&E>                                    14,022,376
<DEPRECIATION>                             4,646,147
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            16,692,720
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      2,867,649
<BONDS>                                    6,405,304
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                     507,102
<OTHER-SE>                                 3,677,064
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              16,692,720
<SALES>                                            0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           6,876,806
<CGS>                                              0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              5,096,228
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              21,309
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           309,512
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              806,143
<INCOME-TAX>                                 389,316
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          416,827
<DISCONTINUED>                                   810
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                 417,637
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   0.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0.00