
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                        5
<LEGEND>                         THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                                 FROM THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED
                                 AS PART OF 360'S 1997 10K
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                     0001003959
<NAME>                           360 COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                                    1000

<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                   JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                     DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         3,471
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                107,074
<ALLOWANCES>                                   6,602
<INVENTORY>                                   34,354
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             230,167
<PP&E>                                     1,750,097
<DEPRECIATION>                               561,140
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             2,941,924
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        367,211
<BONDS>                                    1,825,347
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                       1,233
<OTHER-SE>                                   508,068
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               2,941,924
<SALES>                                       50,503
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           1,347,172
<CGS>                                        116,456
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                158,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             255,263
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              32,020
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           131,589
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              155,324
<INCOME-TAX>                                  73,829
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           81,495
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                  81,495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.67


</TABLE>
