<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE 1997 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-31-1997 
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997 
<CASH>                                          12,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  360,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                    32,500
<INVENTORY>                                     29,800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               454,600
<PP&E>                                       4,917,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,200,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,770,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          657,600
<BONDS>                                      1,156,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,900
<OTHER-SE>                                     528,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,770,900
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,022,300
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,624,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (8,300)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              89,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                316,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   118,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            197,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,700)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   193,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.92