<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
          OF OPERATIONS OF DAKOTA TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. AND
          SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, INCLUDED
          IN ITS FORM 10-QSB, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
          TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1
       
<S>                                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                            2,801,176
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     1,814,754
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        343,000
<INVENTORY>                                                       1,383,644
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  6,911,554
<PP&E>                                                           37,257,050
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   13,941,963
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   34,198,137
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             3,598,439
<BONDS>                                                          25,715,348
<COMMON>                                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                       5,637,855
<OTHER-SE>                                                          179,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     34,198,137
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  8,440,667
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     9,717,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  791,920
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (1,827,791)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      (292,880)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (1,534,911)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (1,534,911)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        (1.56)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        (1.56)
        


</TABLE>