
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                          5
<LEGEND>          THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINICIAL DATA
                  FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART
                  OF 360 COMMUNICATIONS' THIRD QUARTER 10Q
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                              0001003959
<NAME>                             360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                       1000
       
<S>                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                                    9,869
<SECURITIES>                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            94,045
<ALLOWANCES>                                              4,788
<INVENTORY>                                              17,002
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        181,761
<PP&E>                                                1,364,267
<DEPRECIATION>                                          395,237
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        2,225,460
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   258,079
<BONDS>                                               1,362,720
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                  1,169
<OTHER-SE>                                              306,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          2,225,460
<SALES>                                                  29,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        795,544
<CGS>                                                    71,010
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            68,492
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        144,811
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       78,854
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         101,558
<INCOME-TAX>                                             47,407
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      54,151
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             54,151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0
        

</TABLE>
