<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OPTEL,
INC. NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                         113,497
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,613
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (914)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         137,198
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 417,203
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        353,148
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            25
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,587
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   417,203
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,117
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,016
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,993
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (31,668)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (31,668)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (31,668)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (13.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (13.23)