<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 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         931,300                 931,300
<SECURITIES>                                   324,500                 324,500
<RECEIVABLES>                                  316,000                 316,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    49,800                  49,800
<INVENTORY>                                     33,200                  33,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,647,000               1,647,000
<PP&E>                                       2,188,600               2,188,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 290,600                 290,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,069,500               7,069,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          787,100                 787,100
<BONDS>                                      2,370,400               2,370,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        1,000,000               1,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                         12                      12
<COMMON>                                         5,800                   5,800
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,872,600               2,872,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,069,500               7,069,500
<SALES>                                        331,800                 620,100
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               331,800                 620,100
<CGS>                                          196,400                 344,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,400                 344,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               227,900                 403,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 9,000                  16,100
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,000                  72,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (125,700)               (184,200)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (125,700)               (184,200)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (125,700)               (184,200)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.24)                  (0.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.24)                  (0.40)


</TABLE>