<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of United States Cellular Corporation as of
September 30, 1996, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          65,222
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,343
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,789
<INVENTORY>                                      6,805
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               174,370
<PP&E>                                         794,599
<DEPRECIATION>                                 179,818
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,089,255
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          185,236
<BONDS>                                        332,741
<COMMON>                                        86,097
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,378,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,089,255
<SALES>                                         12,790
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               510,280
<CGS>                                           49,631
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  435,343
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (174,915)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,055
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,496
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                223,740
<INCOME-TAX>                                   105,158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            118,582
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   118,582
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34