<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
3RD 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          13,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  372,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                    35,900
<INVENTORY>                                     26,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               521,900
<PP&E>                                       4,671,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,120,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,681,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          679,600
<BONDS>                                      1,169,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,300
<OTHER-SE>                                     372,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,681,800
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,450,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,157,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (6,200)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              67,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                231,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    83,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            148,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   148,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27