<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
                                                                   Ex-27
                           USTN HOLDINGS, INC.

                         FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF USTN HOLDINGS, INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
1996, AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS THEN ENDED, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                1
<CURRENCY>                                                         U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                                                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                      Jan-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                        Sep-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                              1
<CASH>                                                              11,201,866
<SECURITIES>                                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       20,025,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         (308,000)
<INVENTORY>                                                                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    31,607,429
<PP&E>                                                              55,419,289
<DEPRECIATION>                                                      25,050,173
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      67,335,838
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               26,945,203
<BONDS>                                                             19,425,236
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 27
<COMMON>                                                                51,611
<OTHER-SE>                                                          20,913,761
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        67,335,838
<SALES>                                                                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    27,827,910
<CGS>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                       24,242,323
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       350,067
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     920,765
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      2,646,154
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  2,646,154
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         2,646,154
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             0.55
        

</TABLE>