<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
         financial statements of Premiere Technologies, Inc. for the year ended
         December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
         financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          21,770
<SECURITIES>                                   154,569
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,022
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,303
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               229,714
<PP&E>                                         120,861
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,284
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,878
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           93,532
<BONDS>                                        167,270
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           341
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,878
<SALES>                                        229,352
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               229,352
<CGS>                                           63,974
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,974
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               194,376
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (28,787)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3,412)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (25,375)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (25,375)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.78)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.78)