
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                      34,377,395
<SECURITIES>                                23,099,716
<RECEIVABLES>                               20,004,186
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,700,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   1,526,935,312
<DEPRECIATION>                             215,612,563
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,471,117,604
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    651,442,853
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    900,000
<COMMON>                                       404,194
<OTHER-SE>                                 744,028,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,471,117,604
<SALES>                                     63,111,632
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            63,111,632
<CGS>                                       18,565,243
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               18,565,243
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          11,039,207
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             25,483,756
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         25,483,756
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                25,483,756
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51
<FN>
Financial Data Schedule information has been extracted from the Registrant's
Condensed Consolidted Balance  Sheet (non-classified) as of March 31, 1998 and
the  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the  three months then
ended.  
        


</TABLE>
