<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEPTEMBER
30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          35,056
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,357
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,072
<PP&E>                                         887,914
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,522
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,081,134
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          251,017
<BONDS>                                        425,807
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,511
<COMMON>                                           365
<OTHER-SE>                                     292,255
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,081,134
<SALES>                                        103,321
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,321
<CGS>                                           35,252
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,252
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,746
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,932
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,553
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,379
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (14,491)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,112)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.14)