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

  

                        Exhibit 27.1

        Financial Data Schedule - Quarter ended March 31, 1998

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE
BALANCE  OF AVTEL  COMMUNICATIONS,  INC.  AS OF MARCH 31,  1998 AND THE  RELATED
STATEMENTS OF  OPERATIONS  AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3995
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7423
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14555
<PP&E>                                           4769
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3070
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17731
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10214
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               1
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          111
<OTHER-SE>                                       6289
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17731
<SALES>                                         12445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12445
<CGS>                                            9288
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9288
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4861
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 12
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1672)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1672)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.18)