<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOUND ON PAGES
4 AND 5 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      3-MOS        3-MOS       12-MOS        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1998  DEC-31-1997  DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                JAN-01-1998  JAN-01-1997  JAN-01-1996   JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                  MAR-31-1998  MAR-31-1997  DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                         16,655,963            0            0             0
<SECURITIES>                    4,913,170            0            0             0
<RECEIVABLES>                   5,269,164            0            0             0
<ALLOWANCES>                            0            0            0             0
<INVENTORY>                     2,591,994            0            0             0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>               30,178,832            0            0             0
<PP&E>                         71,356,765            0            0             0
<DEPRECIATION>                  7,097,572            0            0             0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                186,421,480            0            0             0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           8,815,730            0            0             0
<BONDS>                       145,000,000            0            0             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>          25,812,404            0            0             0
<PREFERRED>                     3,222,753            0            0             0
<COMMON>                           49,225            0            0             0
<OTHER-SE>                      1,549,517            0            0             0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>  186,421,480            0            0             0
<SALES>                         8,401,157            0            0             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                8,401,157            0            0             0
<CGS>                           6,394,028            0            0             0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   6,394,028            0            0             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0            0            0             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0            0            0             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>              2,873,971            0            0             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>               (6,791,126)            0            0             0
<INCOME-TAX>                            0            0            0             0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>           (6,791,126)            0            0             0
<DISCONTINUED>                          0            0            0             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>              (17,386,893)            0            0             0
<CHANGES>                               0            0            0             0
<NET-INCOME>                 (24,178,017)            0            0             0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                      (5.64)        (0.21)       (0.35)        (0.26)     
<EPS-DILUTED>                      (5.64)        (0.21)       (0.35)        (0.26)
        

</TABLE>