<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, 1997 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-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         285,032                 285,032
<SECURITIES>                                    93,617                  93,617
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,026                  41,026
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,322                   4,322
<INVENTORY>                                      3,342                   3,342
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               423,318                 423,318
<PP&E>                                         164,519                 164,519
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,908                  10,908
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 751,214                 751,214
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,829                  47,829
<BONDS>                                        314,609                 314,609
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           526                     526
<OTHER-SE>                                     378,238                 378,238
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   751,214                 751,214
<SALES>                                         46,523                  82,270
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,523                  82,270
<CGS>                                           27,563                  48,763
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   27,563                  48,763
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                33,809                  63,022
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   819                   1,321
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,039                   9,486
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (16,496)                (29,851)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (16,496)                (29,851)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (16,496)                (29,851)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.31)                  (0.57)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.31)                  (0.57)
        


</TABLE>