
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 12/31/95
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
           
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           3,430
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,413
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,989
<PP&E>                                          57,951
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,112
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 552,347
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,433
<BONDS>                                        197,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           80,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           280
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,797
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   552,347
<SALES>                                        162,931
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               162,931
<CGS>                                           23,431
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  149,154
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (291)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,144
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (5,658)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       192
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (5,850)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (10,680)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.52)
               

</TABLE>
