<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEUDLE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED BALANCE SHEET OF TELECOMMUICATIONS INCOME FUND IX, L.P. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE AUDITED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 458,893 <SECURITIES> 65,389 <RECEIVABLES> 11,513,511 <ALLOWANCES> (1,922,056) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 1,795,697 <DEPRECIATION> (270,858) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,640,576 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 681,832 <BONDS> 50,557 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 10,908,187 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,640,576 <SALES> 2,624,821 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,624,821 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 880,006 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,801,233 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 163,677 <INCOME-PRETAX> (220,095) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (220,095) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (220,095) <EPS-PRIMARY> (3.25)<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> (3.25) <FN> NET INCOME PER PARTNERSHIP UNIT