<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 QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 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>                                                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                            2,626,261
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     3,287,723
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        304,600
<INVENTORY>                                                       1,527,881
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                  7,570,296
<PP&E>                                                           38,244,925
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   12,468,128
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   41,386,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             5,038,204
<BONDS>                                                          28,874,216
<COMMON>                                                          8,940,007
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        1,602,471
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     41,386,531
<SALES>                                                           3,427,329
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  7,032,422
<CGS>                                                             2,648,668
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     7,741,519
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  495,619
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (1,175,557)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (1,175,557)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (1,175,557)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (.64)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.64)
        


</TABLE>