<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SBA
COMMUNICATIONS 10-Q 6/30/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      52,497,500               6,109,418
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,669,156              11,439,306
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (821,144)               (508,268)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            66,312,896              18,141,413
<PP&E>                                     121,484,301              17,162,632
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,412,282)               (717,624)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             198,567,276              44,797,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,194,735              18,124,703
<BONDS>                                    160,794,990                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                 32,845,833              30,983,333
<COMMON>                                        88,778                  80,750
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,276                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               198,567,276              44,797,404
<SALES>                                     41,755,997              38,556,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            41,755,997              38,556,156
<CGS>                                       31,497,812              26,165,070
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               31,497,812              26,165,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          10,811,279                  77,127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (12,666,675)               4,363,804
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0               4,861,768
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (12,666,675)               (497,964)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (12,666,675)               (497,964)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0