<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial infomation extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of McLeodUSA Incorporated and
subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                        <C>                       <C>                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>              3-MOS                     9-MOS                  
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     DEC-31-1998               DEC-31-1998 
<PERIOD-START>                         JUL-1-1998                JAN-1-1998 
<PERIOD-END>                          SEP-30-1998               SEP-30-1998 
<CASH>                                    230,991                   230,991 
<SECURITIES>                              171,391                   171,391 
<RECEIVABLES>                             132,766                   132,766 
<ALLOWANCES>                               12,915                    12,115 
<INVENTORY>                                 4,923                     4,923 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          570,784                   570,784 
<PP&E>                                    618,028                   618,028 
<DEPRECIATION>                             58,711                    58,711 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          1,621,564                 1,621,564 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     161,518                   161,518 
<BONDS>                                   939,102                   939,102 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           0                         0 
<PREFERRED>                                     0                         0 
<COMMON>                                      631                       631 
<OTHER-SE>                                483,114                   483,114 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            1,621,564                 1,621,564 
<SALES>                                   148,616                   438,642 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          148,616                   438,642 
<CGS>                                      81,082                   239,195 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              81,082                   239,195 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           84,230                   245,628 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            4,561                    13,189 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         19,429                    54,593 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (33,042)                  (93,100) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                    0                         0 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (33,042)                  (93,100) 
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0                         0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 0                         0 
<CHANGES>                                       0                         0 
<NET-INCOME>                              (33,042)                  (93,100) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               (0.52)                    (1.49) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                               (0.52)                    (1.49)   
        

</TABLE>