<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 six months ended June 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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1999              JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         250,500                 250,500
<SECURITIES>                                   272,500                 272,500
<RECEIVABLES>                                  210,800                 210,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                    35,700                  35,700
<INVENTORY>                                     29,100                  29,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               818,400                 818,400
<PP&E>                                       1,057,100               1,057,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                 115,300                 115,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,840,100               2,840,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          271,500                 271,500
<BONDS>                                      1,792,400               1,792,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,500                   1,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     739,300                 739,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,840,100               2,840,100
<SALES>                                        222,700                 403,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,700                 403,800
<CGS>                                          113,100                 205,500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,100                 205,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               135,600                 246,500
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,500                  10,600
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,200                  65,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (61,400)               (108,900)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (61,400)               (108,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (61,400)               (108,900)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.41)                  (0.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.41)                  (0.77)


</TABLE>