<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Unaudited Balance Sheets of Telecommunications Income Fund IX L.P. as of March
31, 1997, and the Unaudited statements of Income for the 3 months ended March
31, 1997, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         161,783
<SECURITIES>                                    62,676
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,102,658
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (285,298)
<INVENTORY>                                    153,632
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            14,195,451
<PP&E>                                       1,475,418
<DEPRECIATION>                               (238,021)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,689,670
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,677,507
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  13,012,163
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,689,670
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               603,231
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               193,722
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                31,659
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              43,165
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                334,685
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            334,685
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   334,685
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.93