<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AMERICAN
TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES JUNE 30, 2000 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (IN THOUSANDS:)
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         518,758
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  135,004
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,694)
<INVENTORY>                                     27,163
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               740,101
<PP&E>                                       1,896,959
<DEPRECIATION>                               (122,883)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,088,344
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          205,276
<BONDS>                                      2,009,562
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,781
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,846,292
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,088,344
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               282,564
<CGS>                                          199,367
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  333,357
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,172
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              70,587
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (126,506)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,214
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (96,292)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (4,338)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (100,630)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.63)