<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000819694 <NAME> PEOPLES TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 9461000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 12400000 <ALLOWANCES> (4958000) <INVENTORY> 2187000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 22485000 <PP&E> 134557000 <DEPRECIATION> (59435000) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 152075000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26611000 <BONDS> 101098000 <COMMON> 162000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 14173000 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 8890000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 152075000 <SALES> 30496000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 30496000 <CGS> 22920000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 31929000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3062000 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4500000) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4500000) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4500000) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.29) <EPS-DILUTED> (.29)