
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND THE
BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                     2,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,041
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,520
<INVENTORY>                                      1,891
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,754
<PP&E>                                         723,146
<DEPRECIATION>                                 357,427
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 432,399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,961
<BONDS>                                        101,153
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       118,442
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   432,399
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,795
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,905
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,987
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,733
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,480
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,253
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,253
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>
