
<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                   JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                      13,235
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                              121,009
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,927
<INVENTORY>                                 25,219
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           247,731
<PP&E>                                   1,832,269
<DEPRECIATION>                             646,911
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,973,474
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      289,701
<BONDS>                                  1,823,342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<COMMON>                                     1,233
<OTHER-SE>                                 595,795
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,973,474
<SALES>                                     26,801
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           753,448
<CGS>                                       53,864
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               84,549
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           135,382
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            15,834
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          66,840
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            149,683
<INCOME-TAX>                                68,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         81,239
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                81,239
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.67
        

</TABLE>
