<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE 1996 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF THE
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          56,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  299,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                    18,000
<INVENTORY>                                     14,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               435,300
<PP&E>                                       4,309,100
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,964,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,857,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          359,100
<BONDS>                                        746,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       380,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     243,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,857,200
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,546,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,169,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (4,900)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                335,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                   127,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            208,900
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   208,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0