<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 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-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          27,707                  27,707
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,809                   4,809
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (50)                    (50)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,801                  32,801
<PP&E>                                         170,283                 170,283
<DEPRECIATION>                                (84,180)                (84,180)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 119,209                 119,209
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,752                  17,752
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            86                      86
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,878                  63,878
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   119,209                 119,209
<SALES>                                          6,947                  20,761
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,306                  22,225
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,769                  17,767
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    10                      17
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 795                   2,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    984                   3,531
<INCOME-TAX>                                       349                   1,127
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                984                   3,531
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       635                   2,404
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .07                     .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .07                     .28
        

</TABLE>