<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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                             713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      942
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (40)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,801
<PP&E>                                          17,608
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,509)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,644
<BONDS>                                          9,319
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      6,486
<COMMON>                                            29
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,196
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,917
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,718
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (24,007)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     4
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (821)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,110)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,110)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,110)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.29)