
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,072<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,533
<INVENTORY>                                      1,057
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,462
<PP&E>                                         153,758<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,308
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 276,597
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,441
<BONDS>                                         74,388<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           271
<OTHER-SE>                                     136,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   276,597
<SALES>                                        238,596<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               267,277
<CGS>                                          156,973<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   92,492<F6>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0<F7>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,930<F8>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,941<F9>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,703
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,379
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,324
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,324
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>add back allowance
<F2>gross
<F3>total long-term debt
<F4>tolls only
<F5>network costs
<F6>total operating expenses
<F7>unusual operating expenses
<F8>bad debt expense
<F9>net
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
