<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                 SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                                            11,909
<SECURITIES>                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    445,838 <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      90,230 <F1>
<INVENTORY>                                                            0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 196,240
<PP&E>                                                           627,572
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   299,007
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   834,861
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            231,720
<BONDS>                                                          323,187
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             125
<OTHER-SE>                                                       231,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     834,861
<SALES>                                                                0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 488,443
<CGS>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    316,201 <F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  33,527 <F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  57,486
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                36,042
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (15,960)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                         265
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (16,225)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (16,225)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          0
<FN>
<F1>THESE AMOUNTS REFLECT SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BALANCES AS DISCLOSED IN
THE NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<F2>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE FITNESS CENTER OPERATIONS LINE AND THE
ADVERTISING LINE IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
<F3>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE MEMBER PROCESSING AND COLLECTION CENTERS
LINE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>