<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
2ND QUARTER 1996 FORM 10-Q OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          11,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  376,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                    38,900
<INVENTORY>                                     28,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               530,300
<PP&E>                                       4,619,800
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,078,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,683,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          667,000
<BONDS>                                      1,174,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     348,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,683,800
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               961,800
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  759,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (5,800)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                162,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    60,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            102,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   102,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.57