<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE 1996 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           9,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  350,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,400
<INVENTORY>                                     27,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               468,000
<PP&E>                                       4,707,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,110,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,671,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          667,000
<BONDS>                                      1,169,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     394,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,671,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,941,900
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,559,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (6,900)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              88,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                300,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                   107,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            192,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   192,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.94