<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
             FROM DAKOTA AND SUBSIDIARIES FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
             DECEMBER 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
             SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000

<S>                                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                            4,297,938
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     4,514,728
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        298,700
<INVENTORY>                                                       1,109,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 10,261,743
<PP&E>                                                           36,929,528
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   11,521,262
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   44,039,892
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             6,921,786
<BONDS>                                                          29,200,469
<COMMON>                                                          8,511,545
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        2,298,006
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     44,039,892
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 13,728,992
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    15,487,651
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                1,122,807
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   2,605,262
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        118,475
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               2,486,787
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      2,486,787
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          1.35


</TABLE>