<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CS WIRELESS
SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SECOND QUARTER 10-Q (97) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         102,844
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      839
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               104,670
<PP&E>                                          60,626
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,002
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,631
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,925
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            11
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,029
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,631
<SALES>                                         13,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                13,500
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,416
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (655)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,089
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (27,468)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,714)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (24,754)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (24,754)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.34)