<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>