<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
2ND QUARTER 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          11,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  422,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                    44,200
<INVENTORY>                                     29,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               486,400
<PP&E>                                       4,983,700
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,225,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,836,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          608,800
<BONDS>                                      1,146,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        70,300
<OTHER-SE>                                     667,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,836,900
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,065,700
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  845,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              44,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                175,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    65,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            109,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                       15,500
<NET-INCOME>                                   125,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.83