<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>                                           7,017
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,923
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,788
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,994
<PP&E>                                          39,656
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,587
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 475,138
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,852
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,172
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   475,138
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,207
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   74,976
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   319
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,099
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,813
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,925
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,888
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,888
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29