In 1997 , the company raised $1 billion in bond capital .
In 1997 , the company undertook a series of rapid acquisitions , making 76 acquisitions between January 1998 and December 2000 .
In 1997 , the company raised $1 billion in bond capital and undertook a series of rapid acquisitions , making 76 acquisitions between January 1998 and December 2000 .