<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          45,394
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,030
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,840
<PP&E>                                          90,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 290,584
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,536
<BONDS>                                        305,718
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            11
<OTHER-SE>                                    (28,544)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   290,584
<SALES>                                         20,076
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,076
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   94,002<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,657
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (98,894)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (98,894)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (1,868)<F2>
<NET-INCOME>                                 (100,762)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (9.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (9.42)
<FN>
<F1>Includes impairment of goodwill of $46.4 million.
<F2>Due to adoption of SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities".
</FN>