<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S DECEMBER 31, 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          13,200
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  752,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (78,800)
<INVENTORY>                                     20,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               734,700
<PP&E>                                       8,695,600
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,830,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,090,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,137,800
<BONDS>                                        496,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,721,800
<OTHER-SE>                                    (169,300)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,090,700
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,470,700
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,462,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (8,800)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              83,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                933,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                   339,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            593,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   593,500
<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 OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE "TOTAL COST" TAG, PER
REGULATION S-X, RULE 5-03(B).
</FN>