
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                          5
<LEGEND>          THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINICAL DATA
                  FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART
                  OF 360 COMMUNICATIONS' SECOND QUARTER 10Q
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                              0001003959
<NAME>                             360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                       1000
       
<S>                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                                   28,607
<SECURITIES>                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            90,055
<ALLOWANCES>                                              3,780
<INVENTORY>                                              16,731
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        202,780
<PP&E>                                                1,315,369
<DEPRECIATION>                                          364,580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        2,216,993
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   261,456
<BONDS>                                               1,387,662
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                  1,168
<OTHER-SE>                                              285,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          2,216,993
<SALES>                                                  19,554
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        513,868
<CGS>                                                    41,667
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            44,344
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         92,480
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       54,102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          60,119
<INCOME-TAX>                                             28,855
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      31,264
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             31,264
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0
        

</TABLE>
