<ARTICLE>            5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WORLDCOM, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                0000723527
<NAME>               WORLDCOM, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>         1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          19,708
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  652,756
<ALLOWANCES>                                    61,212
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               749,346
<PP&E>                                       2,165,066
<DEPRECIATION>                               (531,487)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,816,942
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,114,155
<BONDS>                                      2,194,357
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         12
<COMMON>                                         1,941
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,293,342
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,816,942
<SALES>                                      1,026,186
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,026,186
<CGS>                                          558,189
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  831,123
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,126)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                13,529
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              57,026
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                140,163
<INCOME-TAX>                                    54,663
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             85,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    84,995
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42