<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 3,247 <SECURITIES> 917 <RECEIVABLES> 44,138 <ALLOWANCES> (1,147) <INVENTORY> 1,615 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 55,956 <PP&E> 127,723 <DEPRECIATION> (64,919) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 167,250 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,154 <BONDS> 68,419 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1 <COMMON> 100 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 167,250 <SALES> 137,874 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 137,874 <CGS> 104,023 <TOTAL-COSTS> 104,023 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (800) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,923 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,969) <INCOME-TAX> (1,317) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,652) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,652) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.40) <EPS-DILUTED> (.40)