
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,988
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,200<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,291
<INVENTORY>                                        733
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                92,347
<PP&E>                                         189,249<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                  53,523
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 319,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           89,793
<BONDS>                                         90,221<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           275
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   319,618
<SALES>                                        327,490<F4>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               372,613
<CGS>                                          218,361<F5>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  134,739<F6>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,970<F7>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,810<F8>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,514<F9>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,867
<INCOME-TAX>                                       476
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,391
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,391
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59
<FN>
<F1>add back allowance
<F2>gross
<F3>long-term debt
<F4>tolls only
<F5>network costs
<F6>total operating expenses
<F7>merger costs
<F8>bad debt expense
<F9>net
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
