<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                        <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                       YEAR                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997                DEC-31-1996               DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997                DEC-31-1996               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          15,619                     71,961                    12,260
<SECURITIES>                                         0                      9,990                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,680                     21,378                    18,078
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                          0                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        456                        897                     1,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                72,347                    105,687                    32,990
<PP&E>                                         310,122                    182,200                   123,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,635                     33,463                    22,090
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 334,182                    254,947                   134,545
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,875                      9,016                     9,674
<BONDS>                                              0                          0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                          0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                          0                         0
<COMMON>                                           519                        513                       442
<OTHER-SE>                                     295,223                    221,220                   107,130
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   334,182                    254,947                   134,545
<SALES>                                        190,257                    110,329                    63,067
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               190,257                    110,329                    63,067
<CGS>                                           77,847                     59,770                    55,091
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   77,847                     59,770                    55,091
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,995                     11,576                     9,377
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                          0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 575                        895                       855
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 89,836                     32,256                   (6,102)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,456                     11,586                   (2,080)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,380                     20,670                   (4,022)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                          0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                          0                         0
<CHANGES>                                            0                          0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    58,380                     20,670                   (4,022)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.13                       0.46                     (.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.11                       0.45                     (.09)



</TABLE>