<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WORLDCOM, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          93,119
<SECURITIES>                                       746
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,837,351
<ALLOWANCES>                                   222,862
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,182,838
<PP&E>                                       8,741,814
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,010,087
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,915,377
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,310,070
<BONDS>                                      8,331,536
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              123
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,290
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,812,046
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,915,377
<SALES>                                      2,349,967
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,349,967
<CGS>                                        1,146,949
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,422,150
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (12,247)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                24,200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             102,248
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (162,184)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   118,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (280,384)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              (128,731)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (415,717)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.41)