<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE OHIO BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S JUNE 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                             100
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  524,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (37,000)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               510,200
<PP&E>                                       6,153,500
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,819,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,120,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          620,600
<BONDS>                                        834,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,010,300
<OTHER-SE>                                    (84,600)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,120,400
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,158,500
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  891,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (3,300)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                240,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            159,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   159,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00
<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>