WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET OF KME TELECOM  HOLDINGS,  INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER  30, 1999 AND THE RELATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30, 1999,  AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                          1

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                               Jan-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                Sep-30-1999
<CASH>                                       21,207,000
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                25,905,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (2,095,000)
<INVENTORY>                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             83,218,000
<PP&E>                                      454,055,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              (27,273,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              697,496,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       207,341,000
<BONDS>                                     567,161,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       207,036,000
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                          6,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 (284,948,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                697,496,000
<SALES>                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             42,284,000
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                75,209,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             74,150,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           47,848,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (152,185,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (152,185,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                               (152,185,000)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (228.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (228.20)