
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>  5
<MULTIPLIER>  1
       
<S>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                   SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                            30,780,884
<SECURITIES>                      26,847,006
<RECEIVABLES>                     26,903,602
<ALLOWANCES>                       2,786,130
<INVENTORY>                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           0
<PP&E>                         2,890,677,935
<DEPRECIATION>                   239,930,486
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 2,874,586,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      0
<BONDS>                        1,132,156,342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                        1,394,159
<COMMON>                             575,677
<OTHER-SE>                     1,557,893,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   2,874,586,574
<SALES>                          230,537,696
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 230,537,696
<CGS>                             63,735,566
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     63,735,566
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                42,987,028
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   89,120,576
<INCOME-TAX>                               0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               89,120,576
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                    4,851,528
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                      84,269,048
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           1.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                           1.40

<FN> 
Financial Data Schedule information has been extracted from the Registrant's
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (non-classified) as of September 30, 1998
and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months then
ended.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>
