<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          24,273
<SECURITIES>                                   128,313
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,407
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                17,590
<PP&E>                                          40,779
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 262,087
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,777
<BONDS>                                         65,350
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,783
<COMMON>                                        24,383
<OTHER-SE>                                     130,794
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   262,087
<SALES>                                          8,450
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,713
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,436
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,561
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,663
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,898
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,898
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43