<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MCLEOD USA INCORPORATED AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 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-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         250,695                 250,695
<SECURITIES>                                   280,917                 280,917
<RECEIVABLES>                                  131,739                 131,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,509                  13,509
<INVENTORY>                                      4,352                   4,352
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               692,620                 692,620
<PP&E>                                         513,599                 513,599
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,256                  45,256
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,637,032               1,637,032
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          155,523                 155,523
<BONDS>                                        930,146                 930,146
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           629                     629
<OTHER-SE>                                     515,283                 515,283
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,637,032               1,637,032
<SALES>                                        155,695                 290,026
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               155,695                 290,026
<CGS>                                           83,068                 158,113
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   83,068                 158,113
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                85,149                 161,409
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,778                   8,617
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,410                  36,164
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (29,791)                (60,058)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (29,791)                (60,058)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (29,791)                (60,058)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.47)                  (0.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.47)                  (0.96)
        

</TABLE>