<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PHONETEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,519
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,785
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (507)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                23,769
<PP&E>                                          45,140
<DEPRECIATION>                                (15,031)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 169,826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,930
<BONDS>                                        150,203
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            7,716
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           164
<OTHER-SE>                                     (4,206)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   169,826
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               109,644
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (116,846)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (267)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (16,052)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (23,254)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (23,254)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (23,254)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.51)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.51)