
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 3/31/97
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,269
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,608
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,469
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,327
<PP&E>                                          80,954
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,598
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,186,655
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,144
<BONDS>                                        535,575
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           422
<OTHER-SE>                                     543,102
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,186,655
<SALES>                                         81,897
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,897
<CGS>                                           11,915
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,329
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,888
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (7,320)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,309)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,011)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,011)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.14)
        

</TABLE>
