<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 16,277 <SECURITIES> 1,523 <RECEIVABLES> 136,358 <ALLOWANCES> (521) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,239 <PP&E> 658,736 <DEPRECIATION> (25,750) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,746,322 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 172,401 <BONDS> 437,817 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 397 <OTHER-SE> 859,443 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,746,322 <SALES> 18,890 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 584,366 <CGS> 19,028 <TOTAL-COSTS> 431,383 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 32,655 <INCOME-PRETAX> 89,974 <INCOME-TAX> 34,456 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,518 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 55,518 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.37 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.37