<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INCOME FUND IX.  AND STATEMENTS
OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 3, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         394,184
<SECURITIES>                                    44,520
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,380,698
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (261,171)
<INVENTORY>                                    211,779
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            10,770,010
<PP&E>                                       1,315,516
<DEPRECIATION>                               (337,296)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,748,230
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,278,387
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,469,843
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,748,230
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               402,020
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               226,369
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                64,711
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,817
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 94,123
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             94,123
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    94,123
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39