<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 NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   YEAR                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             DEC-31-1996             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         161,669                 215,029                 127,487
<SECURITIES>                                    57,023                  46,827                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      7,964                  37,490                   1,613
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               254,925                 344,657                 130,847
<PP&E>                                          98,227                 195,168                  69,567
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (4,561)                 (8,317)                 (4,241)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,205,826               1,419,472                 567,757
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,926                  98,342                  20,069
<BONDS>                                        268,136                 477,503                  17,552
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           505                     510                     458
<OTHER-SE>                                     194,287                 133,264                 110,691
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,205,826               1,419,472                 111,149
<SALES>                                              0                     531                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                     531                       0
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                52,500                 100,932                  30,052
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,594                  37,226                  10,072
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (65,264)               (126,930)                (37,413)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (65,264)               (126,930)                (37,413)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (65,264)               (126,930)                (37,413)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.44)                  (2.71)                  (0.87)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.44)                  (2.71)                  (0.87)


</TABLE>