<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. as of
March 31, 1997, and for the three months ended, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          55,862
<SECURITIES>                                    38,236
<RECEIVABLES>                                  141,179
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,484
<INVENTORY>                                     32,795
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               318,228
<PP&E>                                       2,824,345
<DEPRECIATION>                                 879,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,315,866
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          654,268
<BONDS>                                        983,911
<COMMON>                                        61,223
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              279
<PREFERRED>                                     28,720
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,942,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,315,866
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               318,178
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  275,918
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,991
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,814
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,455
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,838
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,617
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,617
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15