<ARTICLE>          5
<MULTIPLIER>       1,000
       
                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                      JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                        SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                  200,234
<SECURITIES>                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                           426,870
<ALLOWANCES>                                             22,579
<INVENTORY>                                              43,039
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        852,439
<PP&E>                                                2,455,137
<DEPRECIATION>                                          587,525
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        3,706,054
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   538,323
<BONDS>                                               2,041,067
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                  45
<COMMON>                                                 25,102
<OTHER-SE>                                              536,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          3,706,054
<SALES>                                                 454,069
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      1,341,545
<CGS>                                                   432,123
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           721,813
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                              0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          1,875
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       23,325
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          96,891
<INCOME-TAX>                                             40,210
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      55,391
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             55,391
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              1.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              1.10