EVOLUTION OF DISTORTED ROTATING BLACK-HOLES .3. INITIAL DATA

In this paper we study a new family of black hole initial data sets co rresponding to distorted ''Kerr'' black holes with moderate rotation p arameters, and distorted Schwarzschild black holes with even- and odd- parity radiation. These data sets build on the earlier rotating black holes of Bowen and York and the distorted Brill wave plus black hole d ata sets. We describe the construction of this large family of rotatin g black holes. We present a systematic study of important properties o f these data sets, such as the size and shape of their apparent horizo ns, and the maximum amount of radiation that can leave the system duri ng evolution. These data sets should be a very useful starting point f or studying the evolution of highly dynamical black holes and can easi ly be extended to 3D.