<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
3RD 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  361,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,700
<INVENTORY>                                     26,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               490,900
<PP&E>                                       4,905,400
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,223,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,774,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          642,300
<BONDS>                                      1,184,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,700
<OTHER-SE>                                     497,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,774,300
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,494,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,199,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (5,700)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              67,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                232,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    87,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            145,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   141,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.14