
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 9/30/96
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,508
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,761
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,541
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,318
<PP&E>                                          72,808
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 979,155
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,401
<BONDS>                                        562,625
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           80,225
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           281
<OTHER-SE>                                     203,851
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   979,155
<SALES>                                        205,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               205,130
<CGS>                                           29,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,940
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,212
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (21,022)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3,734)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (17,288)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (20,907)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.74)
        

</TABLE>
