<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEUDLE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF AVTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH 31, 1999 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                             589
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,336
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,737
<PP&E>                                           1,674
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  13,024
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,342
<BONDS>                                          2,188
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                           105
<OTHER-SE>                                         216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    13,024
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,322
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,620
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,684
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  99
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,066)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,066)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,066)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.29)