<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OPTEL,
INC. SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          18,388
<SECURITIES>                                   111,154
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,742
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (1,302)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         203,778
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (22,053)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 505,171
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        487,011
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            26
<OTHER-SE>                                     (13,688)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   505,171
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                26,891
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,419
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,026
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (34,027)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (34,027)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (34,027)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (13.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (5.81)