<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
2ND QUARTER 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  308,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,100
<INVENTORY>                                     20,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               417,800
<PP&E>                                       4,397,400
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,026,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,886,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          444,000
<BONDS>                                        666,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       380,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     258,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,886,200
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               766,600
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  584,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   300
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                159,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             97,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    93,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0