WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US DOLLAR
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         320,133
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  131,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,674
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               531,995
<PP&E>                                         253,610
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (54,510)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2,817,490
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          159,331
<BONDS>                                        600,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          200,000
<PREFERRED>                                    35
<COMMON>                                       980
<OTHER-SE>                                     871,155
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2,817,490
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               291,364
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  214,089
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             54,902
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                19,308
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (12,400)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            6,908
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (11,063)
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,155)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.10)<a>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.10)<a>
        

<FN>
a)  This information has been prepared in accordance with SFAS No 128,  Earnings
    per Share. The basic and diluted EPS calculations have been entered in place
    of primary and diluted, respectively.
</FN>