<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAKOTA
          TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD
          ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
          REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000
       
<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                                            2,966,382
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     3,482,602
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        340,600
<INVENTORY>                                                       2,065,718
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  8,511,238
<PP&E>                                                           39,187,432
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   13,453,622
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   42,527,067
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             7,773,266
<BONDS>                                                          28,542,577
<COMMON>                                                         10,324,497
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        1,231,288
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     42,527,067
<SALES>                                                           7,518,531
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 14,763,083
<CGS>                                                             5,951,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    16,228,342
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     48,868
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                1,059,589
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (2,436,699)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (2,436,699)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (2,436,699)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        (1.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        (1.21)
        


</TABLE>