<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF OMNIPOINT CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         124,844                 198,370
<SECURITIES>                                    27,635                  44,112
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,194                   6,583
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (622)                    (46)
<INVENTORY>                                     22,878                  33,728
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               239,850                 335,717
<PP&E>                                         397,740                 273,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                (25,655)                (15,547)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,532,167               1,434,272
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          215,258                 103,265
<BONDS>                                        477,752                 477,606
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           516                     513
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,218                  82,178
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,532,167               1,434,272
<SALES>                                          9,949                   3,087
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,449                   7,587
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               106,308                  46,016
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,457                  18,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (120,669)                (52,363)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (120,669)                (52,363)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (120,669)                (52,363)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.35)                  (1.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.35)                  (1.02)
        


</TABLE>