<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. as of
September 30, 1996, and for the nine months ended, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         112,748
<SECURITIES>                                    37,445
<RECEIVABLES>                                  137,927
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,410
<INVENTORY>                                     19,569
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               362,026
<PP&E>                                       2,362,609
<DEPRECIATION>                                 802,038
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,933,418
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          370,492
<BONDS>                                        890,545
<COMMON>                                        61,088
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              359
<PREFERRED>                                     29,038
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,963,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,933,418
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               878,262
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  756,961
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (136,588)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,343
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                227,546
<INCOME-TAX>                                   111,496
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            116,050
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   116,050
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.89