<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
AND THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         528,397                   3,030
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,470                   2,565
<ALLOWANCES>                                       224                      80
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,876                   7,296
<PP&E>                                         152,716                  28,074
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,506                   1,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 705,332                  56,260
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,296                  11,842
<BONDS>                                        400,000                  35,019
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       0
<COMMON>                                        25,566                   5,274
<OTHER-SE>                                     216,013                   1,430
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   705,332                  56,260
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                26,348                  26,724
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,989                  15,676
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   212                     114
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,965                   4,823
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (14,183)                 (4,435)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       141                      36
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (14,324)                 (4,471)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (809)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (15,906)                 (4,944)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.60)                  (1.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.60)                  (1.41)



</TABLE>