<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)