<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AMERICAN
TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES MARCH 31, 1999 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         483,263
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,737
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,685
<INVENTORY>                                      3,950
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               539,837
<PP&E>                                         674,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,528,537
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,288
<BONDS>                                        287,871
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,552
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,161,024
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,528,537
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,408
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,170
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               479,537 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,326)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       826
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,500)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,500)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.07)