<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS THEN ENDED, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                          18,058
<SECURITIES>                                    19,718
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,856
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,797)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,337
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,534
<PP&E>                                         413,994
<DEPRECIATION>                                  87,930
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,503,952
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,863
<BONDS>                                        277,211
<COMMON>                                        78,551
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            9,597
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,013,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,503,952
<SALES>                                          9,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               236,816
<CGS>                                           25,847
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  221,202
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (21,739)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,987
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,686
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,535
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,151
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19