<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial  information extracted from the balance
sheet of MCI  Communications  Corporation and  Subsidiaries at June 30, 1997 and
the income  statement for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                              0000064079
<NAME>                                          MCI Communications Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                                     1000000
       
<S>                                                                <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                      JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                        JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                               55
<SECURITIES>                                                         95
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     3,670
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        306
<INVENTORY>                                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    845
<PP&E>                                                           20,370
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    7,084
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   24,251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             6,846
<BONDS>                                                           3,259
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               750
<PREFERRED>                                                           0
<COMMON>                                                             74
<OTHER-SE>                                                       11,276
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     24,251
<SALES>                                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  9,726
<CGS>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     8,588
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  116
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                     964
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        359
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 575
<DISCONTINUED>                                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0
<CHANGES>                                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        575
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                      0.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      0.82
        

</TABLE>