<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>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-17-1999
<CASH>                                           6,576
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,459
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,280)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,463
<PP&E>                                          23,294
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,804
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,230
<BONDS>                                         47,992
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           102
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,390
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,804
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                69,657
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   87,157
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (345)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,384
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (36,884)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (36,884)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 77,172
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,288
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.08