<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OPTEL,
INC YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                          87,305
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,169
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,125)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         175,424
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (14,982)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 403,416
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        358,177
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            26
<OTHER-SE>                                      20,339
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   403,416
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,837
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,202
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,926
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,414
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (48,535)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (48,535)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (48,535)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (19.98)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (19.98)