
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                       5
<LEGEND>                        THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                                FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART
                                OF 360 COMMUNICATIONS' FIRST QUARTER 10Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                    0001003959
<NAME>                          360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                        8,670
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                95,516
<ALLOWANCES>                                  5,319
<INVENTORY>                                  39,060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            225,752
<PP&E>                                    1,519,435
<DEPRECIATION>                              452,246
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            2,809,739
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       238,485
<BONDS>                                   1,799,513
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                      1,233
<OTHER-SE>                                  471,974
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              2,809,739
<SALES>                                      12,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            306,846
<CGS>                                        28,449
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                41,489
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             60,522
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              6,431
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           31,190
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              17,991
<INCOME-TAX>                                  8,546
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           9,445
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  9,445
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.08
        

</TABLE>
