<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PHONETEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-18-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           5,700
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,585
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,339)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,090
<PP&E>                                          23,434
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (693)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 124,399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,959
<BONDS>                                         48,642
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           102
<OTHER-SE>                                      60,696
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   124,399
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,972
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,542
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (59)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,124
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,694)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,694)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,694)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.26)