<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           44,067 
<SECURITIES>                                          0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                    32,807 
<ALLOWANCES>                                      5,259 
<INVENTORY>                                          24 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                100,958 
<PP&E>                                           91,676 
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (23,607)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  218,367 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            55,461 
<BONDS>                                         250,000 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0 
<PREFERRED>                                           0 
<COMMON>                                             37 
<OTHER-SE>                                      (89,136)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    218,367 
<SALES>                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                105,806 
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   114,601 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (3,469)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               12,751 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (18,077)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (18,077)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0 
<CHANGES>                                             0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    (18,077)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (0.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (0.18)