<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1997 (UNAUDITED), AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           7,163                   7,139
<SECURITIES>                                    22,781                  18,844
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,586                  67,466
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,447                   6,526
<INVENTORY>                                      1,806                   2,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               104,428                  96,979
<PP&E>                                         298,887                 286,361
<DEPRECIATION>                                 150,936                 140,103
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 310,684                 302,668
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,465                  73,217
<BONDS>                                         60,375                  61,366
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           20,169                  20,169
<PREFERRED>                                     20,169                  20,169
<COMMON>                                         7,796                   7,796
<OTHER-SE>                                     106,539                 100,865
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   310,684                 302,668
<SALES>                                        127,564                 250,974
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               127,564                 250,974
<CGS>                                           64,575                 123,952
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,575                 123,952
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                50,835                 100,023
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,427                   2,208
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,834                   4,689
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,839                  23,951
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,095                   8,881
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,744                  15,090
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,744                  15,090
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.14                    8.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.14                    8.58