<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of McLeodUSA Incorporated and
subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         536,800
<SECURITIES>                                   493,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                  279,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                    47,400
<INVENTORY>                                     29,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,396,900
<PP&E>                                       1,873,200
<DEPRECIATION>                                 243,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,530,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          415,100
<BONDS>                                      2,059,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        1,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                         12
<COMMON>                                         5,800
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,014,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,530,100
<SALES>                                        288,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               288,300
<CGS>                                          148,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  148,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               175,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 7,100
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (58,500)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (58,500)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (58,500)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.15)