<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
   This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
   Electric Lightwave, Inc.'s Consolidated Financial Statements for the
   period ended September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety
   by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US Dollars
       
                                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS          
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1997    
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-1-1997     
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1997    
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1              
<CASH>                                         1,147         
<SECURITIES>                                   0              
<RECEIVABLES>                                  10,272         
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0         
<INVENTORY>                                    0              
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               11,725         
<PP&E>                                         249,499        
<DEPRECIATION>                                 23,144       
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 248,570        
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          19,459        
<BONDS>                                        0              
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0              
<PREFERRED>                                    0              
<COMMON>                                       412         
<OTHER-SE>                                     (17,161)        
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   248,570       
<SALES>                                        0        
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               41,843         
<CGS>                                          0         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  19,287         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               31,076              
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0              
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             513         
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (26,035)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0        
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (26,035)       
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0              
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0              
<CHANGES>                                      0        
<NET-INCOME>                                   (26,035)       
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.62)          
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.62)