<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
          OF OPERATIONS OF DAKOTA COOPERATIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. AT
          AND FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
          IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1
       
<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                            2,600,984
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     1,509,871
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        113,000
<INVENTORY>                                                       1,511,220
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  6,364,095
<PP&E>                                                           31,322,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   13,200,677
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   27,586,938
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             3,393,542
<BONDS>                                                          18,434,818
<COMMON>                                                             26,135
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                       1,172,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                        4,375,974
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     27,586,938
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  5,614,681
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     6,272,658
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  408,689
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   (914,681)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       (60,096)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               (854,585)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      (854,585)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             0
        


</TABLE>