<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 YEAR-
             TO-DATE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                            1,705,383
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     4,191,814
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        415,400
<INVENTORY>                                                       1,883,839
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  7,892,933
<PP&E>                                                           40,789,058
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   14,484,828
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   43,671,374
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             9,806,951
<BONDS>                                                          28,393,121
<COMMON>                                                         10,979,987
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        1,176,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     43,671,374
<SALES>                                                          13,008,166
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 24,222,476
<CGS>                                                            10,376,666
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    26,630,516
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    124,747
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                1,653,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (3,836,231)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          8,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (3,828,231)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (3,828,231)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        (2.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        (2.04)
        


</TABLE>