
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           6,535
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,712
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,696)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,931
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               109,145
<PP&E>                                         751,770
<DEPRECIATION>                               (311,606)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 634,027
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,151
<BONDS>                                        121,356
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,776
<OTHER-SE>                                     321,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   634,027
<SALES>                                         93,368
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                94,751
<CGS>                                           85,041
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,161
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   200
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   334
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,568
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,512)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,021)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,491)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,491)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.11)
        

</TABLE>
