<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THIS FORM 
10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-10-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                      10,751,236
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,872,616
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,837,026
<PP&E>                                     513,903,736
<DEPRECIATION>                              83,111,304
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             499,971,174
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       54,481,666
<BONDS>                                    303,245,592
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    49,536,725
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,993,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               499,971,174
<SALES>                                    205,773,190
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           205,773,190
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              176,945,243
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          14,767,960
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,040,128
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,850,881
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,189,247
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (55,746)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,133,501
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    43.28