<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 83,885 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 652,310 <ALLOWANCES> (39,910) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,650,382 <PP&E> 718,121 <DEPRECIATION> (332,276) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,797,185 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 917,060 <BONDS> 2,767,201 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 260,438 <COMMON> 13,048 <OTHER-SE> 178,055 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,797,185 <SALES> 2,760,693 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,760,693 <CGS> 1,857,777 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,679,230 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 11,873,112 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 123,415 <INCOME-PRETAX> (41,952) <INCOME-TAX> (21,794) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (20,158) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (20,158) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.10) <EPS-DILUTED> 0.00