<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BALANCE
SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                       1,010,886
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               20,522,881
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            24,033,370
<PP&E>                                     251,565,727
<DEPRECIATION>                              49,637,167
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             228,414,297
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       15,486,233
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 11,198,553
<COMMON>                                   136,062,171
<OTHER-SE>                                (12,687,030)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               228,414,297
<SALES>                                     66,001,245
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            67,047,088
<CGS>                                       17,158,312
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               40,925,539
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               188,572
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,466,659
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             25,932,978
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,817,212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         17,115,766
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                17,115,766
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39