<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF POWERTEL  USA, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED  NOVEMBER
30, 1996 , AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS             
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                               MAR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                               137 
<SECURITIES>                                           0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                        534
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                           48
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     738 
<PP&E>                                             7,143
<DEPRECIATION>                                       368
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     7,590
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              1,066     
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0 
<PREFERRED>                                            1
<COMMON>                                              16     
<OTHER-SE>                                         5,631   
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       7,590
<SALES>                                            1,136
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   1,136
<CGS>                                                624
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      2,544 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   1,712                                     
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    21
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (3,120)
<INCOME-TAX>                                           0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (3,120) 
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (3,120)    
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (.28)