<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM
THE OHIO BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S MARCH 31, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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>                                             200
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  511,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (35,600)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               494,600
<PP&E>                                       6,086,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,756,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,074,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          584,000
<BONDS>                                        834,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,010,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     (97,700)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,074,500
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               569,500
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  433,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,800)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                123,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    81,800
<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>