<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          24,066
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,941
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               146,229
<PP&E>                                       1,086,239
<DEPRECIATION>                                 126,008
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,379,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          266,944
<BONDS>                                        671,978
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           861
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,094,874
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,379,046
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,038,011
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  854,109
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (43,330)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              72,027
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                175,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    79,664
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             95,436
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    95,436
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09