<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. as of
December 31, 1994, and for the year then ended, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                          24,733
<SECURITIES>                                    25,604
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,961
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,785
<INVENTORY>                                     17,106
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,918
<PP&E>                                       2,153,575
<DEPRECIATION>                                 629,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,790,127
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          346,184
<BONDS>                                        536,509
<COMMON>                                        54,825
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           13,209
<PREFERRED>                                     29,819
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,418,213
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,790,127
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               730,810
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  621,988
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (33,686)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,251
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                101,257
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,544
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        (723)
<NET-INCOME>                                    59,821
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.06