WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>            10,000

<S>                                       <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          88,520                  88,520
<SECURITIES>                                    57,780                  57,780
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,950                  21,950
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,880                   3,880
<INVENTORY>                                      3,200                   3,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               175,150                 175,150
<PP&E>                                         123,720                 123,720
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,220                  14,220
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 417,310                 417,310
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,170                  27,170
<BONDS>                                        180,120                 180,120
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          100,000                 100,000
<PREFERRED>                                          1                       1
<COMMON>                                           150                     150
<OTHER-SE>                                     106,400                 106,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   417,310                 417,310
<SALES>                                         24,110                  64,490
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,110                  64,490
<CGS>                                           12,190                  32,740
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,190                  32,740
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,050                  39,700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   540                   1,600
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,680                  10,250
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (5,840)                (16,730)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (5,840)                (16,730)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (5,840)                (16,730)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.41)                  (1.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.41)                  (1.18)


</TABLE>