<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 6,714 <SECURITIES> 45,999 <RECEIVABLES> 25,566 <ALLOWANCES> (1,982) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 65,849 <PP&E> 324,749<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 937,576 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 69,691 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 13,698 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (36,613) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 937,576 <SALES> 69,405 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 69,405 <CGS> 22,054<F2> <TOTAL-COSTS> 69,712 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 74 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,753 <INCOME-PRETAX> (19,214) <INCOME-TAX> (1,094) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (18,350) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (18,350) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1>PP&E IS SHOWN NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION. <F2>INCLUDES PROGRAM FEES AND OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES. </FN>