<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1  FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE EIGHT MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997 AND THE FOUR
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   8-MOS                   4-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          12,759                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   89,988                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               227,243                       0
<PP&E>                                         188,009                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                (90,205)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,044,109                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,868                       0
<BONDS>                                        405,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       0
<COMMON>                                           538                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     326,114                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,044,109                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,826                 146,440
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,610                  59,993
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,749                  15,830
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,539)                  40,297
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                  16,419
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,539)                  23,878
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                  16,212
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,539)                   7,666
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.34)                    0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.34)                    0.48


</TABLE>