<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF 360 COMMUNICATIONS' THIRD QUARTER 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                     0001003959
<NAME>                    360 COMMUNICATIONS
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      6,975
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                             153,206
<ALLOWANCES>                                7,900
<INVENTORY>                                29,832
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          254,130
<PP&E>                                  1,890,919
<DEPRECIATION>                            690,483
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          2,987,155
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     845,654
<BONDS>                                 1,328,413
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           0
<PREFERRED>                                     0
<COMMON>                                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                527,982
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            2,987,155
<SALES>                                    39,652
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        1,173,971
<CGS>                                      77,211
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             994,419
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          136,579
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         99,845
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           114,845
<INCOME-TAX>                              102,660
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        12,185
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 0
<CHANGES>                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               12,185
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0