<ARTICLE>  5

<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

       
                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>               JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                 DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                       19,882,000
<SECURITIES>                 51,371,000
<RECEIVABLES>                8,964,000
<ALLOWANCES>                 0
<INVENTORY>                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>             95,401,000
<PP&E>                       39,985,000
<DEPRECIATION>               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>               386,089,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>        47,971,000
<BONDS>                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>        0
<PREFERRED>                  0
<COMMON>                     20,000
<OTHER-SE>                   180,831,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 386,089,000
<SALES>                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>             239,389,000
<CGS>                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                182,106,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>             11,199,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>           11,593,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>              20,573,000
<INCOME-TAX>                 9,347,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>          11,226,000
<DISCONTINUED>               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>              0
<CHANGES>                    0
<NET-INCOME>                 11,226,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                .53