<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
2ND QUARTER 1996 FORM 10-Q OF THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE
COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          97,200
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  326,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                    29,800
<INVENTORY>                                     14,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               537,200
<PP&E>                                       4,244,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,938,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,908,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          400,200
<BONDS>                                        746,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       380,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,908,700
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               776,800
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  566,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,400)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                188,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                    72,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            115,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0