<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, 2000 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-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         353,600                 353,600
<SECURITIES>                                   226,300                 226,300
<RECEIVABLES>                                  309,000                 309,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                    53,600                  53,600
<INVENTORY>                                     31,000                  31,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               959,400                 959,400
<PP&E>                                       2,505,900               2,505,900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 343,600                 343,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,669,700               6,669,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          562,000                 562,000
<BONDS>                                      2,371,300               2,371,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        1,000,000               1,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                         12                      12
<COMMON>                                         5,900                   5,900
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,698,000               2,698,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,669,700               6,669,700
<SALES>                                        366,600                 986,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               366,600                 986,700
<CGS>                                          204,600                 548,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  204,200                 548,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               255,700                 659,300
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,200                  21,400
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,700                 113,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (127,700)               (311,900)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (127,700)               (311,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (24,500)                (24,500)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (152,200)               (336,400)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.28)                  (0.69)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.28)                  (0.69)


</TABLE>