<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OPTEL,
INC SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED February 28, 1999 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                          60,032
<SECURITIES>                                    38,645
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,204
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,359)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         354,401
<DEPRECIATION>                                (46,112)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 581,459
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        419,786
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          217,168
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            28
<OTHER-SE>                                   (101,034)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   581,459
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                40,965
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,689
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,335
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,337
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (44,614)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (44,614)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (44,614)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (19.81)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (19.81)