<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND THE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001061148
<NAME> PATHNET, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          98,896
<SECURITIES>                                    74,524
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               170,728
<PP&E>                                         110,606
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,482
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 338,575
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,123
<BONDS>                                        346,519
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           35,970
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            30
<OTHER-SE>                                    (77,331)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   338,575
<SALES>                                          2,275
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,275
<CGS>                                            9,579
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,579
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,318
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (40,409)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (40,409)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (40,409)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (13.88)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (13.88)