<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
2ND 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           7,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  339,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,300
<INVENTORY>                                     35,800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               489,900
<PP&E>                                       4,808,100
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,183,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,717,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          643,500
<BONDS>                                      1,180,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,700
<OTHER-SE>                                     445,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,717,400
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               984,300
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  789,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (4,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                153,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    57,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             96,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    92,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40