
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 3/31/96 FORM
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           7,216
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,570
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,620
<PP&E>                                          66,522
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,651
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 908,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,464
<BONDS>                                        500,375
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           80,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           187
<OTHER-SE>                                     208,729
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   908,900
<SALES>                                         53,371
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,371
<CGS>                                            7,411
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,594
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     7
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,966
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,196)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,923)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,273)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (15,481)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.83)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.83)
        

</TABLE>
