<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          16,584
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  749,049
<ALLOWANCES>                                    75,139
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               812,329
<PP&E>                                       1,967,216
<DEPRECIATION>                               (333,620)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,673,252
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          993,699
<BONDS>                                      3,346,596
<COMMON>                                         3,959
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,029,091
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,673,252
<SALES>                                      2,087,586
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,087,586
<CGS>                                        1,135,201
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,087,586
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (4,143)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                27,553
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             112,889
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (98,046)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    60,122
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (158,168)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (24,434)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (183,462)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.47)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.47)<F1>
        
<FN>
<F1> Retroactively restated to reflect 2-for-1 Stock Split distributed July 3,
     1996 to Shareholders of record on June 6, 1996.
</FN>