<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS PERIODS ENDING
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>                                           9,149                   9,149
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,545                  24,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                       632                     632
<INVENTORY>                                      1,900                   1,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,068                  46,068
<PP&E>                                          20,735                  20,735
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,254                   7,254
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 648,348                 648,348
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,370                  70,370
<BONDS>                                        414,347                 414,347
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           167                     167
<OTHER-SE>                                     147,678                 147,678
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   648,348                 648,348
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                76,033                 197,245
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,812                 126,048
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,265                  63,173
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   580                   1,098
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,525                  19,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,149)                (12,090)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (329)                      65
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,820)                (12,155)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,820)                (12,155)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (.407)                  (.857)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.407)                  (.857)
        

</TABLE>