<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statemetns of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. as of June
30, 1995, and for the six months then ended, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                          51,098
<SECURITIES>                                     3,165
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,108
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,319
<INVENTORY>                                     19,235
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               240,012
<PP&E>                                       3,094,195
<DEPRECIATION>                                 706,240
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,346,110
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          387,870
<BONDS>                                        869,215
<COMMON>                                        57,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,775
<PREFERRED>                                     29,537
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,566,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,346,110
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               442,066
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  379,085
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (45,827)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,738
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,965
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,773
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,773
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77