<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000819694
<NAME> PEOPLES TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                       6,223,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               27,511,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                (4,744,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,144,000
<PP&E>                                     135,388,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (84,019,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             124,357,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       32,703,000
<BONDS>                                    100,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 17,222,000
<COMMON>                                       162,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 (26,515,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               124,357,000
<SALES>                                     57,248,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            57,248,000
<CGS>                                       47,065,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               58,167,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,495,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (7,414,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (7,414,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (7,414,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.52)