<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
1ST QUARTER 1997 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  342,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,300
<INVENTORY>                                     28,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               466,600
<PP&E>                                       4,772,200
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,169,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,685,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          633,800
<BONDS>                                      1,180,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     417,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,685,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               482,700
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  386,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (100)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 73,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64