<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 4,047 <SECURITIES> 15,450 <RECEIVABLES> 21,959 <ALLOWANCES> (1,776) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,157 <PP&E> 341,484<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 898,303 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,153 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 14,430 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (71,529) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 898,303 <SALES> 77,645 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 77,645 <CGS> 25,551<F2> <TOTAL-COSTS> 83,644 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 61 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,458 <INCOME-PRETAX> (23,845) <INCOME-TAX> (1,696) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (22,395) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (22,395) <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>