WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

                                                              EXHIBIT 27.1
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET OF
PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE
INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 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>                                          35,474
<SECURITIES>                                    25,125
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,802
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,585
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,726
<PP&E>                                          17,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,301
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,560
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,444
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           178
<OTHER-SE>                                      76,262
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,560
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               172,972
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,845
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,695
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,960
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 857
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,568)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       196
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,764)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,764)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.63)
        

                                      E-2