<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             JUN-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          50,029                   3,091                   4,063
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,719                  28,497                  29,126
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,490                  23,179                  61,079
<PP&E>                                         625,837                 681,517                 746,744
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 744,116                 758,542                 828,674
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,748                  87,824                  85,793
<BONDS>                                        375,100                 375,100                 440,618
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           226                     227                     227
<OTHER-SE>                                     260,045                 265,678                 270,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   744,116                 758,542                 828,674
<SALES>                                         70,580                 134,131                 196,929
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,005                 135,146                 198,661
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   46,383                  98,094                 148,509
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (322)                 (1,748)                 (2,721)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,848                  14,760                  22,970
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,096                  24,040                  29,903
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,922                   8,920                  11,018
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,174                  15,120                  18,885
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49                     .66                     .83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47                     .63                     .79
        

</TABLE>