<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of McLeodUSA Incorporated and
subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>            1,000

<S>                                       <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               3-MOS                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1999              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-01-1999              JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-30-1999              SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          885,200                  885,200
<SECURITIES>                                    577,800                  577,800
<RECEIVABLES>                                   219,500                  219,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                     38,800                   38,800
<INVENTORY>                                      32,000                   32,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              1,751,500                1,751,500
<PP&E>                                        1,237,200                1,237,200
<DEPRECIATION>                                  142,200                  142,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                4,173,100                4,173,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           271,700                  271,700
<BONDS>                                       1,801,200                1,801,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         1,000,000                1,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                          10                       10
<COMMON>                                          1,500                    1,500
<OTHER-SE>                                    1,064,000                1,064,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  4,173,100                4,173,100
<SALES>                                         241,100                  644,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                241,100                  644,900
<CGS>                                           121,900                  327,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   121,900                  327,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                150,500                  397,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  5,400                   16,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               36,800                  102,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (58,400)                (167,300)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (58,400)                (167,300)
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0                        0
<CHANGES>                                             0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (58,400)                (167,300)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (0.41)                   (1.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (0.41)                   (1.18)



</TABLE>