<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE OHIO BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S MARCH 31, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          39,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  488,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (50,700)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               518,900
<PP&E>                                       6,724,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,311,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,278,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,029,400
<BONDS>                                        484,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,096,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     (76,800)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,278,200
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               606,500
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  488,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,900)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                106,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             65,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,300
<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>