<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MCI WORLDCOM
INC.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERNCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             944
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,660
<PP&E>                                          23,777
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,477)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,278
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,143
<BONDS>                                         16,032
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              750
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,246
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,278
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,661
<CGS>                                            4,141
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,869
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (36)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   115
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 351
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,523)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       462
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,985)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    129
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,141)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.77)