<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY'S JUNE 30, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          13,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  701,300
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (76,200)
<INVENTORY>                                     18,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               688,700
<PP&E>                                       8,906,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,085,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,017,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,008,100
<BONDS>                                        496,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,721,800
<OTHER-SE>                                    (111,600)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,017,400
<SALES>                                              0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,827,900
<CGS>                                                0<F3>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,247,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                553,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                   203,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            350,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   350,100
<EPS-BASIC>                                       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>