WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000819694 <NAME> Peoples Telephone Company, Inc. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEPT-30-1997 <CASH> 7330000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19899000 <ALLOWANCES> -4164000 <INVENTORY> 2340000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 28237000 <PP&E> 136501000 <DEPRECIATION> 81148000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1241000000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24831000 <BONDS> 100180000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <COMMON> 162000 <OTHER-SE> 17351000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 124000000 <SALES> 96624000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 96624000 <CGS> 79858000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 98563000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9820000 <INCOME-PRETAX> -4910000 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> -4910000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> -4910000 <EPS-PRIMARY> -0.32 <EPS-DILUTED> -0.32