<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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          46,438
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,841
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (92)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,470
<PP&E>                                          27,784
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (8,541)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 159,770
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,979
<BONDS>                                        125,274
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            6,708
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           145
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,560
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   159,770
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,804
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (54,819)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (92)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (6,557)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (16,572)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (16,572)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (10,077)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (26,649)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (5.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (5.29)