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
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           24831000
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    124000000
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<CGS>                           79858000
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                   -0.32
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