<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR HYPERION TELECMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 </LEGEND> <CIK> 0001017648 <NAME> HYPERION TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 242,570 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,611 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 374,702 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 836,342 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 39,528 <BONDS> 494,109 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 228,674 <COMMON> 547 <OTHER-SE> 73,484 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 836,342 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 34,776 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 80,721 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 38,638 <INCOME-PRETAX> (64,842) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (64,842) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 237 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (95,302) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.80) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.80)