<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE OHIO BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             200
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  527,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (43,300)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               507,400
<PP&E>                                       6,209,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,872,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,131,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          637,300
<BONDS>                                        834,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,021,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     (89,400)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,131,300
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,747,500
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,362,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (4,900)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                343,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                   120,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            222,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   222,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00
<FN>
<F1>WE HAVE NOT STATED SECURITIES SEPARATELY IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT MATERIAL. WE HAVE INCLUDED THEM IN THE CASH TAG.
<F2>NET SALES OF TANGIBLE PRODUCTS IS NOT MORE THAN 10% OF TOTAL OPERATING
REVENUES. WE THEREFORE HAVE NOT STATED THESE SALES SEPARATELY IN THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PER REGULATION S-X, RULE 5-03(B).  WE HAVE INCLUDED
THESE SALES IN THE "TOTAL REVENUES" TAG.
<F3>WE HAVE INCLUDED COST OF TANGIBLE GOODS SOLD IN COST OF SERVICE AND 
PRODUCTS IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE "TOTAL COST" TAG, PER REGULATION
S-X, RULE 5-03(B).
</FN>