<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LDDS COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENITRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          15,275
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  566,583
<ALLOWANCES>                                    63,699
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               648,246
<PP&E>                                       1,749,340
<DEPRECIATION>                               (353,883)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,373,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          873,915
<BONDS>                                      3,398,049
<COMMON>                                         1,610
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        129
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,890,884
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,373,000
<SALES>                                        865,035
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               865,035
<CGS>                                          479,835
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  714,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (234)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,208
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,308
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 88,464
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,501
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,963
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,024
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28