<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WORLDCOM,
INC.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          81,347
<SECURITIES>                                    35,898
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,262,841
<ALLOWANCES>                                   118,310
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,650,010
<PP&E>                                       5,402,474
<DEPRECIATION>                                 586,131
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,244,585
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,757,924
<BONDS>                                      5,056,514
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        128
<COMMON>                                         8,994
<OTHER-SE>                                  13,167,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                20,244,585
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,447,323
<CGS>                                        1,833,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,037,593
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (10,661)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                43,110
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,160
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                267,231
<INCOME-TAX>                                   138,960
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            128,271
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,050
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13