WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                               5
<CIK>                                   0000819694
<NAME>                                  Peoples Telephone Company, Inc.
       
                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                          JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                            Mar-31-1997
<CASH>                                  4367000
<SECURITIES>                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                           20554000
<ALLOWANCES>                            (4147000)
<INVENTORY>                             2366000
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<PP&E>                                  135733000
<DEPRECIATION>                          (74142000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          133630000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   25696000
<BONDS>                                 100491000
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<COMMON>                                162000
<OTHER-SE>                              (8516000)
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<SALES>                                 31608000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        31608000
<CGS>                                   26003000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           32158000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                         (3898000)
<INCOME-TAX>                            0
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                            (3898000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           (0.26)
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