<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 5,000 <SECURITIES> 30,923 <RECEIVABLES> 24,206 <ALLOWANCES> (2,012) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 68,659 <PP&E> 334,161<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 915,273 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,983 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 13,938 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (54,987) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 915,273 <SALES> 69,363 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 69,363 <CGS> 22,902<F2> <TOTAL-COSTS> 69,457 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 72 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,833 <INCOME-PRETAX> (19,081) <INCOME-TAX> (947) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (18,374) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (18,374) <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>