<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
   This schedule contains summary financial  information extracted from Electric
   Lightwave, Inc.'s Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 1999
   and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US Dollars

                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   Jun-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         18,189
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  25,722
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               47,166
<PP&E>                                         693,449
<DEPRECIATION>                                 55,723
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 693,494
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          104,208
<BONDS>                                        503,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       499
<OTHER-SE>                                     81,396
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   693,494
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               84,311
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  48,926
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               18,667
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             12,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (67,487)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   670
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (68,157)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (68,157)
<EPS-BASIC>                                  (1.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (1.37)