<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000819694
<NAME> PEOPLES TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                       5,817,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               22,477,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                (3,898,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,474,000
<PP&E>                                     136,938,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (87,129,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             116,435,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       27,762,000
<BONDS>                                    100,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 17,579,000
<COMMON>                                       162,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 (30,394,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               116,435,000
<SALES>                                     86,265,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            86,265,000
<CGS>                                       70,484,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               87,125,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           9,703,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (10,563,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (10,563,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (10,563,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.73)