<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains summary financial  information  extracted from the
consolidated  financial  statements of The Associated Group, Inc.  included in
Form 10-Q for the six months  ending June 30, 1999 and is qualified  in its
entirety by reference to such  financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

<S>                                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                                              387,083
<SECURITIES>                                                              0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        14,685
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          2,883
<INVENTORY>                                                           2,383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    450,313
<PP&E>                                                              349,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       67,586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,030,280
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               365,090
<BONDS>                                                             797,210
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<COMMON>                                                              3,844
<OTHER-SE>                                                        1,158,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                      3,030,280
<SALES>                                                                 411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     25,841
<CGS>                                                                   275
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        88,060
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     24,546
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      1,328
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   44,431
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    (221,553)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                         (6,340)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                (215,213)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       (215,213)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                         (5.62)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             0
<FN>
<F1>
Does not include $2,165,554 of noncurrent marketable equity
securities and $54,248 restricted cash and investments.
</FN>



</TABLE>