<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE OHIO BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S SEPT. 30, 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMD 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>                                             100
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  462,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               478,500
<PP&E>                                       5,969,100
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,662,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,031,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          558,300
<BONDS>                                        834,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,010,100
<OTHER-SE>                                   (127,800)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,031,300
<SALES>                                              0<F1><F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,679,100
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,322,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (8,700)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                21,800
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                322,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                   105,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            216,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   216,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>SECURITIES ARE NOT MATERIAL AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT BEEN STATED SEPARATELY
IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN THE CASH TAG.
<F2>NET SALES OF TANGIBLE PRODUCTS IS NOT MORE THAN 10% OF TOTAL OPERATING
REVENUES AND THEREFORE HAS NOT BEEN STATED SEPARATELY IN THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S-X, RULE 5-03(B).  THIS AMOUNT IS
INCLUDED IN THE "TOTAL REVENUES" TAG.
<F3>COST OF TANGIBLE GOODS SOLD IS INCLUDED IN COST OF SERVICE AND PRODUCTS
IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE "TOTAL COST" TAG, PURSUANT TO
REGULATION S-X, RULE 5-03(B).
</FN>