<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          51,254                  51,254
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,698                  73,698
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,844                 184,844
<PP&E>                                         125,351                 125,351
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,084,504               1,084,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,133                  86,133
<BONDS>                                        502,596                 502,596
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       2
<COMMON>                                           538                     538
<OTHER-SE>                                     331,805                 331,805
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,084,504               1,084,504
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                95,045                 292,010
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,647                 127,595
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,151                  29,978
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,787                  66,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,882                  28,111
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,905                  38,002
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     49                  10,826
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,856                  21,176
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20                    0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20                    0.48
        

</TABLE>