<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           7,455
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  157,233
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,184
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               170,751
<PP&E>                                         690,457
<DEPRECIATION>                                 137,484
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 936,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          121,324
<BONDS>                                        292,951
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           489
<OTHER-SE>                                     433,517
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   936,351
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               891,963
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  705,867
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,395
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                10,644
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,203
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                101,185
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,064
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             70,121
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,121
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.51