<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
AS OF DECEMBER 31,1999, AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         197,675
<SECURITIES>                                   540,927
<RECEIVABLES>                                  134,174
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,029
<INVENTORY>                                     29,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               448,783
<PP&E>                                       1,579,278
<DEPRECIATION>                                 508,273
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,500,095
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          226,979
<BONDS>                                        546,322
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        87,719
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,186,922
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,500,095
<SALES>                                         50,769
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,417,181
<CGS>                                          124,058
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,161,339
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (298,267)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                25,344
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,099
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                516,010
<INCOME-TAX>                                   215,252
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            300,758
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   300,758
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.28