<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                     SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                30,926
<SECURITIES>                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        532,114<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         116,572
<INVENTORY>                                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     264,063
<PP&E>                                               671,428
<DEPRECIATION>                                       332,871
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     1,050,094
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                425,951
<BONDS>                                              374,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                0
<COMMON>                                                 236
<OTHER-SE>                                           157,806
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       1,050,094
<SALES>                                                    0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     554,972
<CGS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        339,770<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      29,384<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      92,555
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    30,723
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        8,862
<INCOME-TAX>                                             525
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    8,337
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                           8,337
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            .32
<FN>
<F1>THIS AMOUNT IS THE SUM OF THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM INSTALLMENT
CONTRACTS RECEIVABLE LINES ON THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS NET OF UNEARNED FINANCE CHARGES.
<F2>THIS AMOUNT IS THE SUM OF THE FITNESS CENTER OPERATIONS LINE, THE
ADVERTISING LINE AND THE CHANGE IN DEFERRED MEMBERSHIP ORIGINATION COSTS
LINE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
<F3>THIS AMOUNT IS THE MEMBER PROCESSING AND COLLECTION CENTERS LINE ON THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>