
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                       5
<LEGEND>                        THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                        8,108
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                               107,915
<ALLOWANCES>                                  6,243
<INVENTORY>                                  32,771
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            232,651
<PP&E>                                    1,556,847
<DEPRECIATION>                              466,360
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            2,924,135
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       293,464
<BONDS>                                   1,844,577
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                      1,233
<OTHER-SE>                                  475,068
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              2,924,135
<SALES>                                      24,304
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            647,108
<CGS>                                        52,843
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                81,772
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            124,367
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             13,618
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           64,033
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              59,528
<INCOME-TAX>                                 28,276
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          31,252
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                 31,252
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25
        

</TABLE>
