<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
<CURRENCY> U.S.DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,768
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,956
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (935)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,178
<PP&E>                                          51,129
<DEPRECIATION>                                (23,292)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 150,674
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          193,154
<BONDS>                                              6
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            9,112
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           188
<OTHER-SE>                                    (51,786)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   150,674
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                91,386
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  117,838
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (428)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,365
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (44,817)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (44,817)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (44,817)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.73)