21ST CENTURY TELECOM GROUP INC
10-Q, 1998-11-13
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, NEC
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

[    X ]  QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                       OR

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

             For the transition period from __________ to __________

                        Commission File Number: 333-47235


                        21st CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          ILLINOIS                                        36-4076758
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)                         

                               WORLD TRADE CENTER
                                350 NORTH ORLEANS
                                    SUITE 600
                             CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60654
                     (Address of principal executive office)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (312) 470-2100

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
Registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No_____

     The number of shares  outstanding of the  Registrant's  Common Stock, as of
November 9, 1998 was 3,493,965.7 shares of Common Stock.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<S>      <C>                                                                        <C>

Item 1.  Financial Statements                                                      PAGE


         Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998 and March 31, 1998     1

         Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  for the  Three and Six            
         Months Ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997                      2
          
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended
         September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997                                   3
         
         Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Year
         Ended March 31, 1998 and for the Six Months Ended September 30, 1998        4                                        4

         Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements                5


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
         and Results of Operations                                                   8


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                           12


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
            
                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

                        21st CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>

                                               September 30,             March 31,
            ASSETS                                 1998                    1998
            ------                            --------------           -------------
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>
Current Assets                                  (Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents                     $   93,036,071         $   217,640,238
Accounts receivable, less allowances                                     
  of $1,376 and $0, respectively                      90,306                  10,359
Short term investments                            99,561,203              10,000,000
Inventory                                          3,137,226               1,991,690
Prepaid expenses and other                           703,188                 168,152
                                              ---------------        ----------------
    Total current assets                         196,527,994             229,810,439

Property, Plant and Equipment
Leasehold improvements                             4,765,858               4,010,868
Other property, plant and equipment               45,252,239              16,588,094
Less: accumulated depreciation                     3,138,580               1,193,236
                                              ---------------        ----------------
    Property, plant and equipment, net            46,879,517              19,405,726

Other assets
Restricted cash collateral reserve                 1,796,880               1,796,880
Prepaid franchise fees                             3,633,944               3,505,706
Debt issuance costs, net of amortization
 of $993,043 and $218,411, respectively            6,994,200               7,668,414
Deferred franchise costs, net of amortization
 of $578,818 and $489,093, respectively              503,100                 463,989
Bank commitment fee, net of amortization
 of $30,664                                          843,267                       -
Deferred mapping and design, net of 
 amortization of $81,548 and $58,501, respectively    56,403                  79,450
Other deferred costs                                   2,000                   2,000
                                              ---------------        ----------------
    Total other assets                            13,829,794              13,516,439
                                              ---------------        ----------------
         Total assets                         $  257,237,305         $   262,732,604
                                              ===============        ================

                                                LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable                              $    8,471,553         $     6,691,683
Accrued expenses and other                         1,945,272               2,060,410
                                              ---------------        ----------------
    Total current liabilities                     10,416,825               8,752,093

Noncurrent Liabilities
Debentures payable                                         -                  28,849
Interest payable                                           -                  42,203
Senior discount notes, net of discount of
 $147,194,049 and $159,656,983, respectively     215,940,951             203,478,017
                                              ---------------        ----------------
    Total noncurrent liabilities                 215,940,951             203,549,069
                                              ---------------        ----------------
         Total liabilities                       226,357,776             212,301,162

Redeemable Preferred Stock
13 3/4% senior cumulative exchangeable 
 preferred stock, .01 par value,
 53,615.1 and 50,000 shares
 outstanding, respectively                        50,524,033              46,492,812
Shareholders' Equity
Class A convertible 8% cumulative preferred
 stock, no par value,
 1,554.8 shares outstanding                       23,657,752              21,751,665
Voting common stock                               11,069,364              10,356,136
Retained deficit                                 (50,990,320)            (24,787,871)
Related party purchase, in excess of cost         (3,381,300)             (3,381,300)
                                              ---------------        ----------------
Total shareholders' equity                       (19,644,504)              3,938,630
                                              ---------------        ----------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    $  257,237,305         $   262,732,604
                                              ===============        ================


</TABLE>



<PAGE>


<TABLE>


                        21st CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>

                                                   For the Three Months                      For the Six Months
                                                    Ended September 30,                      Ended September 30,
                                                 1998                1997                1998                1997
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>             
Operating revenues                     $       280,159     $        37,158     $        420,037    $         79,655

Operating expenses
Network operations                             991,259             210,676            1,969,654             226,739
Sales and marketing                            882,437                   -            1,929,272                   -
General and administrative                   4,479,229           1,942,702            7,603,443           3,115,232
Depreciation and amortization                1,220,384              74,062            2,096,892             131,567
                                             ---------              ------            ---------             -------
     Total operating expenses                7,573,309           2,227,440           13,599,261           3,473,538
                                             ---------           ---------           ----------           ---------

Operating loss                              (7,293,150)         (2,190,282)         (13,179,224)         (3,393,883)
Interest expense                            (6,262,339)             76,358          (12,495,974)            (23,481)
Interest income                              2,971,087             238,126            6,155,074             356,817
Amortization of issuance costs                (407,346)                  -             (800,827)                  -
                                              --------            --------             --------            -------- 
Net loss                                   (10,991,748)         (1,875,798)         (20,320,951)         (3,060,547)


Preferred stock requirements                (2,987,123)           (762,857)          (5,881,522)         (1,499,049)
                                            ----------            --------           ----------          ---------- 

Net loss attributable to common shares $   (13,978,871)    $    (2,638,655)    $    (26,202,473)   $     (4,559,596)
                                       ===============    ================    =================   =================
Weighted average common
    shares outstanding                     3,493,965.7         2,379,679.4          3,493,621.6         2,376,917.0
                                       
                                       
Basic and diluted loss per share       $         (4.00)    $         (1.11)    $          (7.50)   $          (1.92)
                                       ===============    ================    =================   ================= 

</TABLE>



<PAGE>



<TABLE>
                        21st CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>

                                                                 For the Six Months
                                                                 Ended September 30,
                                                             1998                1997
Operating Activities
<S>                                                 <C>                     <C>             
Net loss                                            $    (20,320,951)   $    (3,060,547)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
  cash used for operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                         2,096,892            131,567
     Amortization of debt discount                        12,462,934                  -
     Amortization of debt issuance costs                     800,827                  -
     Stock compensation                                      669,017                  -
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
        Receivables, net                                     (79,947)            11,601
        Other current assets                              (1,688,684)          (431,340)
        Accounts payable                                    (993,583)           882,957
        Accrued expenses and other
            current liabilities                             (115,138)          (150,000)
        Noncurrent assets and liabilities, net            (1,328,649)           (94,445)
                                                          ----------            ------- 
Net Cash Used for Operating Activities                    (8,497,282)        (2,710,207)
                                                          ----------         ---------- 

Investing Activities                                                       
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities                  (89,561,203)                 -
Capital expenditures                                     (26,645,682)        (4,317,278)
                                                         -----------         ---------- 
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities                  (116,206,885)        (4,317,278)
                                                        ------------         ---------- 

Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of class A preferred stock,
     net of issuance costs                                   100,000          1,026,000
                                                             -------          ---------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                    100,000          1,026,000
                                                             -------          ---------

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents                   (124,604,167)        (6,001,485)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period         217,640,238          8,230,942
                                                         -----------          ---------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period          $     93,036,071    $     2,229,457
                                                    =================   ================


</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>



                        21ST CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                   (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Class A                                                  
                                                                        Preferred      Retained      Related Party     Unearned   
                                           Total       Common Stock       Stock         Deficit        Purchase      Compensation 

<S>                                    <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>          
Balances, March 31, 1997 ..............$ (2,960,337)   $  5,946,904   $              $ (5,522,830)   $ (3,381,300)   $     (3,111)
Net loss .............................. (15,030,544)                                  (15,030,544)
Reclassification of  Class A preferred
  stock to permanent equity ...........  16,794,963                     16,794,963                                                
Stock issuances .......................   2,597,380                      2,597,380                                                
Exchange of initial and debt warrants
  for voting  and non voting common
  shares ..............................                                                                                           
Accrued preferred stock dividends .....    (973,958)                     1,872,892     (2,846,850)
Preferred stock accretion .............     (87,014)                     1,300,633     (1,387,647)
Class A preferred stock proceeds
  allocated to related common share
  warrants ............................                     825,037       (825,037)                                               
Class A preferred stock issuance
  costs allocated to related common
  share warrants ......................                     (10,834)        10,834
Exchangeable Preferred Stock
  proceeds allocated to related
  common shares warrants ..............   2,700,000       2,700,000                                                               
Exchangeable Preferred stock
  issuance costs allocated to related
  common share warrants ...............    (106,636)       (106,636)
Stock option accrual ..................     972,865         972,865
Stock compensation ....................      28,800          28,800                                                               
Amortization of unearned
  compensation ........................       3,111                                                                         3,111 
                                        -----------    ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------ 
Balances, March 31, 1998 ..............   3,938,630      10,356,136     21,751,665    (24,787,871)     (3,381,300)              0 
Net loss .............................. (20,320,951)                                  (20,320,951)
Stock issuances .......................     100,000          44,211         55,789                                                
Accrued preferred stock dividends .....  (3,562,633)                     1,069,996     (4,632,629)
Preferred stock accretion .............    (468,567)                       780,302     (1,248,869)
Stock options .........................     669,017         669,017
                                        ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------ 
Balances, September 30, 1998 ..........$(19,644,504)   $ 11,069,364   $ 23,657,752   $(50,990,320)   $ (3,381,300)   $          0 
                                       ============    ============   ============   ============    ============    ============ 

                                                          Common       Class A                                         
                                                           Share      Preferred
                                        Common Shares     Warrants      Shares 
                                                                               
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>     
Balances, March 31, 1997 .............. 2,374,343.6    1,161,307.6             
Net loss ..............................                                        
Reclassification of  Class A preferred                                         
  stock to permanent equity ...........                               1,380.3  
Stock issuances .......................                                 168.2  
Exchange of initial and debt warrants                                          
  for voting  and non voting common                                            
  shares .............................. 1,100,724.4                            
Accrued preferred stock dividends .....                                        
Preferred stock accretion .............                                        
Class A preferred stock proceeds                                               
  allocated to related common share                                            
  warrants ............................                  141,561.3             
Class A preferred stock issuance                                               
  costs allocated to related common                                            
  share warrants ......................                                        
Exchangeable Preferred Stock                                                   
  proceeds allocated to related                                                
  common shares warrants ..............                  438,870               
Exchangeable Preferred stock                                                   
  issuance costs allocated to related                                          
  common share warrants ...............                                        
Stock option accrual ..................                                        
Stock compensation ....................    14,399.9                            
Amortization of unearned                                                       
  compensation ........................                                        
                                       ------------   -----------    --------  
Balances, March 31, 1998 .............. 3,489,467.9    1,741,738.9    1,548.5  
Net loss ..............................                                        
Stock issuances .......................     4,497.8        5,327.1        6.3  
Accrued preferred stock dividends .....                                        
Preferred stock accretion .............                                        
Stock options .........................                                        
                                       ------------   ------------   --------  
Balances, September 30, 1998 .......... 3,493,965.7    1,747,066.0    1,554.8  
                                       ============   ============   ========  
                                                                               
                                       


</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                        21ST CENTURY TELECOM GROUP, INC.
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.       Preparation of Interim Financial Statements

     The condensed  consolidated financial statements have been prepared by 21st
Century  Telecom Group,  Inc. ("the  Company"),  without audit,  pursuant to the
rules  and  regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  Certain
information and footnote  disclosures  normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles have been
condensed or omitted  pursuant to such rules and  regulations.  These  financial
statements include estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses.  Actual amounts
could differ from those estimates.  However, in the opinion of management of the
Company,  the financial  statements include all adjustments,  consisting only of
normally  recurring  adjustments,  necessary for a fair statement of results for
each period shown. These unaudited  consolidated  financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and notes thereto included in
the Company's  latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Certain  amounts  reported in
prior  periods  have  been   reclassified  to  conform  to  the  current  period
presentation.

2.       Earnings Per Share

     Basic per share  amounts  were  based on  weighted  average  common  shares
outstanding of  3,493,965.7  and  2,379,679.4  shares for the three months ended
September  30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively  and  3,493,621.6  and 2,376,  917.0
shares for the six months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

     The potential common shares discussed in the following are considered to be
anti-dilutive.  Therefore,  they  are  excluded  from  the  earnings  per  share
calculations for the three and six months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.

     At September  30, 1998  potential  common  shares  included:  (1) 1,308,196
common share warrants related to the Class A Convertible 8% Cumulative Preferred
Stock,  (2) 438,870 common share warrants  related to 13 3/4% Senior  Cumulative
Exchangeable  Preferred Stock,  (3) 1,250,000  options issued in connection with
certain  Directors'  guarantee of a loan,  (4) 539,426.9  vested  employee stock
options,  and (5) 18,994.7 common share warrants issued to a financial  advisor.
The net loss attributable to common shares on which the basic earnings per share
calculation is based, reflects the net loss increased by the amount of preferred
dividends  and  accretion  related  to the  Class A  Convertible  8%  Cumulative
Preferred Stock and 13 3/4% Senior Cumulative Exchangeable Preferred Stock.

     At  September  30,  1997,  these  potential  common  shares  included:  (1)
1,214,578.6  common  share  warrants  related  to the  Class  A  Convertible  8%
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  (2)  1,037,975.8  shares of voting and non-voting
common stock which  replaced the initial and debt warrants  associated  with the
Class A Convertible 8% Cumulative  Preferred Stock, (3) 1,250,000 options issued
in  connection  with certain  Directors'  guarantee of a loan,  and (4) 18,994.7
stock  warrants  issued to a financial  advisor.  The net loss  attributable  to
common  shares,  on which the basic  earnings  per share  calculation  is based,
reflects  the net loss  increased  by the  amount  of  preferred  dividends  and
accretion related to the Class A Convertible 8% Cumulative Preferred Stock.

3.   Comprehensive Income

     The Company has adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income." This  statement  requires that all
items  recognized  under  accounting  standards as components  of  comprehensive
income be reported in a full set of general purpose  financial  statements.  The
Company does not have any components of comprehensive income to report.


<PAGE>


4.       Class A Convertible 8% Cumulative Preferred Stock

                                      Preferred
                                        Shares                  Amount
                                      ------------         ----------------
                                                              
                March 31, 1998            1,548.5              $21,751,665
                April 14, 1998
                     Proceeds                 6.3                   55,789
                Accrued Dividends               -                1,069,996
                Accretion                       -                  780,302
                                      ------------         ----------------

                September 30, 1998        1,554.8              $23,657,752
                                      ============         ================

5.       13 3/4%  Senior Cumulative Exchangeable Preferred Stock


                                     Preferred   
                                       Shares               Amount      
                                  ------------         ----------------   
                                                           
          March 31, 1998            50,000                $46,492,812
          May 15, 1998
              Stock Dividend         1,833.3
          August 17, 1998
              Stock Dividend         1,781.8                    *
          Accrued Dividends                                 3,562,654
          Accretion                                           468,567
                                  ------------         ----------------
                                  
          September 30, 1998        53,615.1              $50,524,033
                                  ============         ================

     * The amount of the dividend was $1,781,771.  Of this amount,  $863,886 was
     accrued as of June 30, 1998.

     On August 11, 1998, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of
0.034375 of one share of 13 3/4 % Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock, per each share
of 13 3/4 %  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  outstanding  as of August 1,  1998,
payable on August 17,  1998.  An  additional  1,781.8  shares of 13 3/4 % Senior
Cumulative  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock were  therefore  issued on August 17,
1998.

6.   Stock Based Compensation Plans

     Effective  January 30, 1997, the Company  established a common stock option
plan. No options were granted  under this plan until  October  1997.  Options to
purchase  728,667.8 shares of the Company's stock were originally  granted under
the plan of which 645,407.4 were  outstanding as of September 30, 1998.  Options
vest over 48 months  from the date of  employment  and  expire  after ten years.
Options  vested  under this plan  increased  27,554.8  to  346,664.0  during the
quarter ended  September  30, 1998.  In connection  with the plan, an additional
$93,135 and $198,859 of compensation expense was recognized during the three and
six months ended  September  30, 1998,  respectively.  During the quarter  ended
September 30, 1998, an executive  participant  in this plan  separated  from the
Company. This executive was originally granted 91,083.5 shares of which 34,936.1
shares  were fully  vested as of  September  30,  1998.  Certain  aspects of his
employment  contract,  including  the  status  of his  claim to  fully  vest all
remaining unvested shares, are in arbitration.

     Effective  April 14, 1998,  the Company  established  three new  additional
stock option  plans:  the  Executive  Plan,  the Key  Management  Plan,  and the
Employee Plan.


<PAGE>

     Under the Executive  Plan,  331,200  options are available for grant to two
executive officers of the Company.  As of September 30, 1998, all 331,200 shares
available under the Executive Plan were awarded.  On June 30, 1998, an executive
officer was awarded 53,000 options under the Executive Plan at an exercise price
of $4.50 per share,  which was  determined  by the Board of  Directors to be the
fair market value of the  underlying  common  stock.  On September  30, 1998 the
remaining  278,200 were awarded.  The exercise  price of the 278,200  shares was
established  at $1.12  per share  which is less  than the  $4.50 per share  fair
market  value  determined  by the Board of  Directors.  One half of the  278,200
shares awarded on September 30, 1998 or 139,100 shares vested  immediately and a
total of  $470,158  was  recorded  as  compensation  expense  as a result of the
vesting of the 139,100 options.  All remaining  options vest over 48 months from
the date of  employment  and expire  after ten years.  At  September  30,  1998,
170,762.9 options were vested.

     Under the Key  Management  Plan and the Employee  Plan,  150,000 and 50,000
options,  respectively,  were  available  for grant.  As of September 30, 1998 a
total of 103,000 options were granted under the Key Management  Plan,  22,000 of
which vested  immediately.  A total of 32,100  options  were  granted  under the
Employee  Plan.  The  exercise  price of  options  under both  plans,  which was
determined  by the  Board  of  Directors  to be the  fair  market  value  of the
underlying  Common Stock, is $4.50 per share. All remaining  options under these
plans vest over four years  beginning July 1, 1999 and expire 10 years from date
of grant.

7.   Bank Revolving Credit Facility

     On August 5, 1998,  the Company  entered into a revolving  credit  facility
with a number of banks for an aggregate  amount of  $40,000,000.  No  borrowings
have been made under this  facility.  In connection  with the  initiation of its
bank revolving credit facility, the Company incurred $873,931 in bank commitment
fees and other related costs which are being  amortized on a straight line basis
over its five year term.

8.    Subsequent Events

     On October 13, 1998, the Board of Directors  declared a quarterly  dividend
of 0.034375 share of 13 3/4% Senior Cumulative  Exchangeable Preferred Stock per
each share of Exchangeable  Preferred Stock  outstanding as of November 1, 1998,
payable on November 16, 1998. An additional  1,843.02  shares of 13 3/4 % Senior
Cumulative  Exchangeable Preferred Stock will be issued on November 16, 1998 for
settlement of these dividends.

     On October 30, 1998,  the Company  entered into Amendment No. 1 to its bank
revolving credit facility which adjusted certain operating covenants.


<PAGE>



ITEM 2.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
         Results of Operations

     The  following is a discussion  and analysis of the  historical  results of
operations  and financial  condition of 21st Century  Telecom  Group,  Inc. (the
Company)  and  factors  affecting  the  Company's  financial   resources.   This
discussion  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated  financial
statements,  including  the notes  thereto,  set forth herein  under  "Financial
Statements"  and the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998. This discussion contains forward-looking  statements which
are  qualified  by reference  to, and should be read in  conjunction  with,  the
Company's  discussion regarding  forward-looking  statements as set forth herein
under "Forward-Looking Statements."

General

     21st  Century was awarded a franchise  in 1996 by the City of Chicago  that
allows  for the  construction  of the  Distributed  Ring-Star  (DRS)  Network in
Chicago's Area 1. Under this 15-year renewable  license,  the Company is granted
unrestricted  access  to the  public  right-of-way  to  construct,  operate  and
maintain its DRS Network to all  residential and commercial  subscribers.  Since
inception,  the  Company's  principal  focus  has  been the  development  of its
communications business in Chicago's Area 1.

     The Company has incurred net losses in each year since its  inception,  and
as of September 30, 1998, the Company had a retained deficit of $50,990,320.  As
the Company  continues to expand its  operations,  it  anticipates  that it will
continue to incur net losses  during the next  several  years as a result of (i)
substantially  increased  depreciation and amortization from the construction of
networks,  (ii)  significantly  increased  operating  expenses  as it builds its
subscriber base and (iii) interest  charges  associated with the Senior Discount
Notes.  There can be no  assurance  that  growth in the  Company's  revenues  or
subscriber  base  will  occur or that the  Company  will be able to  achieve  or
sustain profitability or positive cash flow.

Results of Operations

Revenues

     The Company generated  subscriber revenues of $280,159 and $420,037 for the
three and six months ended September 30, 1998 versus $37,158 and $79,655 for the
three and six months ended September 30, 1997. The increased subscriber revenues
resulted from the  installation of service into contracted  buildings on the new
DRS network and sales  efforts to increase  penetration  of services  into these
buildings.  At September 30, 1998,  the Company was  providing  service to 7,733
connections  in 20 bulk  MDU's and 69 right of entry  ("ROE")  buildings.  As of
September 30, 1998, there were 3,524 backlogged  connection  orders for bulk MDU
and ROE customers.

Expenses

     The Company incurred  operating  expenses of $7,573,309 and $13,599,261 for
the three and six months ended September 30, 1998,  respectively  and $2,227,440
and  $3,473,538  for  the  three  and  six  months  ended  September  30,  1997,
respectively.  The  increase in  operating  expenses  resulted  from  activities
required to accelerate the network build-out,  operate the franchise and deliver
services.  Also  contributing to this increase are one-time  employment  related
costs in general  and  administrative  expenses  including  severance  costs for
separated employees and recruiting costs for certain key new hires.

Network Operations

         The component of operating  expenses that represents  network operating
costs related to the delivery of cable and internet services  increased $780,583
and  $1,742,915  during  the three and six  months  ended  September  30,  1998,
respectively when compared to the corresponding prior periods.  This increase is
directly related to the continued  ramp-up in the design and construction of the
network,  acquisition of video programming,  and the addition of employees.  The
increase was also impacted by the start up of the Company's telephony operations
during the  quarter  ended  September  30,  1998.  Telephony  expenses  included
connection and usage charges for testing the new switch and consulting costs.

<PAGE>


Selling, General and Administrative

     Selling, general and administrative expenses were $5,361,666 and $9,532,715
for the three and six months ended September 30, 1998,  respectively compared to
$1,942,702 and $3,115,232 for the three and six months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively.  The  increase in selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses
reflects the  Company's  acquisition  and  servicing of  subscribers,  promotion
costs,  and the addition of employees.  During the three months ended  September
30, 1998, the Company  redirected  its sales and marketing  efforts to allow for
the development of a new marketing image program. The costs associated with this
new  program  will  appear in  subsequent  quarters.  Additionally,  the Company
incurred  general and  administrative  expenses of  approximately  $1,000,000 of
one-time  employment  related costs for the separation of certain  employees and
for the recruitment of certain key employees.

Depreciation and Amortization

     Depreciation and amortization  costs were $1,220,384 and $2,096,892 for the
three and six months ended September 30, 1998,  respectively compared to $74,062
and  $131,567  for  the  three  and  six  months  ended   September   30,  1997,
respectively.  The increase in depreciation and amortization  costs is primarily
attributable  to  depreciation  of the  network  equipment  as it is placed into
service and the  amortization of leasehold  improvements  upon the occupation of
the space in the Network Operations Center at corporate headquarters.

Interest and Other Charges

     Interest expense increased  $6,338,697 and $12,472,493 during the three and
six  months  ended  September  30,  1998,  respectively  when  compared  to  the
corresponding  prior  periods  due  primarily  to the  amortization  of the debt
discount  associated  with the Senior Discount Notes issued in February 1998 and
the correction of an over accrual  recorded in the three months ended  September
30, 1997, related to the previous quarters  activity.  Interest income increased
$2,732,961  and $5,798,257  during the three and six months ended  September 30,
1998,  respectively  when  compared  to  the  corresponding  prior  periods  due
primarily to interest  earned on the increased level of cash held by the Company
as a result of the  issuance  of the  Senior  Discount  Notes  and  Exchangeable
Preferred  Stock in February  1998.  Amortization  of  issuance  costs on Senior
Discount  Notes was $407,346 and $800,827  during the three and six months ended
September 30, 1998, respectively. These charges resulted from the issuance costs
associated  with the Senior  Discount  Notes  issued in February  1998 and their
subsequent amortization.

Net Loss

     For the three and six months ended September 30, 1998, the Company incurred
net losses  amounting to $10,991,748 and $20,320,951,  respectively  compared to
$1,875,798 and $3,060,547 for the three and six months ended September 30, 1997,
respectively.  The Company  expects its net losses to continue to increase as it
introduces  new  services  and as the Company  continues  to  build-out  the DRS
Network and seeks to expand its business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Net cash used for operating  activities  was  $8,497,282 for the six months
ended  September 30, 1998, and $2,710,207 for the six months ended September 30,
1997. Net cash used for operating  activities for the six months ended September
30, 1998 resulted  principally  from the  Company's net loss from  operating and
payment of a commitment fee related to the $40 million revolving line of credit.
These items were partially offset by amortization of the discount on the 12 1/4%
Senior  Discount  Notes,  amortization  of  debt  issuance  costs,  depreciation
expense, and stock compensation expenses.

     Cash flows used for investing  activities  totaled  $116,206,885 in the six
months ended September 30, 1998 and $4,317,278 in the six months ended September
30, 1997. Cash requirements in the six months ended September 30, 1998 consisted
of costs for  continued  deployment  of the network in the Area 1 franchise  and
installing and facilitating the telephone  switching  equipment in the Telephone
Operations Center (TOC), which is co-located at the corporate headquarters. Also
contributing  to the  increase  in cash  used for  investing  activities  was an
increase in short term  investments  which reflects an effort to improve returns
on monies  previously  classified as cash.  Cash  requirements in the six months
ended September 30, 1997 consisted primarily of the purchase and construction of
Headend equipment.

<PAGE>


     Cash flows from  financing  activities was $100,000 in the six months ended
 September 30, 1998 and  $1,026,000 in the six months ended  September 30, 1997.
 In the six months ended  September 30, 1998 and 1997, the private sale of Class
 A Preferred Stock generated $100,000 and $1,026,000, respectively.

     The cost of network  development,  construction and start-up  activities of
the Company has required and will continue to require substantial  capital.  The
Company estimates that its aggregate capital expenditure requirements related to
DRS Network  construction  in Area 1 for the period ended September 30, 1998 and
for the fiscal years 1999,  2000 and 2001, the time frame in which  construction
of  the  DRS  Network  in  Area  1 is  expected  to  be  completed,  will  total
approximately $270 million, of which approximately $55 million is expected to be
spent during calendar year 1998. The Company will fund these  expenditures  from
the net  proceeds  of the sale of the 12 1/4% Senior  Discount  Notes and the 13
3/4% Senior  Cumulative  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock. In order to retain funds
available to support its  operations,  the Company has no  expectation of paying
cash interest on the Senior Discount Notes or cash dividends on the Exchangeable
Preferred  Stock prior to February 15, 2003. The Company may require  additional
financing in the future if it begins to develop additional franchise areas or if
the  development  of Area 1 in Chicago is delayed or requires costs in excess of
current expectations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain any additional debt or equity  financing,  or that the terms thereof will
be favorable to the Company or its existing creditors or investors. On August 5,
1998 the Company entered into a $40 million bank revolving  credit facility with
a number of banks to provide  supplemental  financing.  No borrowings  have been
made under this facility. On October 30, 1998 the Company entered into Amendment
No. 1 to its bank revolving  credit  facility which adjusted  certain  operating
covenants.

Impact of Year 2000

     The  Company  believes  that  its  Information  Technology  (IT) and non IT
systems and  equipment are Year 2000  compliant and is currently in  preliminary
contract  negotiations  with an  independent  third  party to perform an overall
evaluation of the Company's Year 2000 compliance.  The Company  anticipates that
this  independent  evaluation  will confirm that apart from fees charged by this
independent party, of which the amount is not yet known, no future  expenditures
are necessary in conjunction  with the Year 2000 issue. The Company is currently
evaluating whether a contingency plan is necessary, but has not adopted specific
contingency  plans nor  incurred any costs for the Year 2000 issue at this time.
The Year 2000 issue may have an effect on some of its customers  and  suppliers,
and thus indirectly affect the Company. The Company is in contact with its major
suppliers  regarding  this  issue,  however,  it is not  currently  possible  to
quantify  the  aggregate  cost to the  Company  with  respect to  customers  and
suppliers  with Year 2000  problems.  The Company plans to complete  preliminary
evaluations  of its major  suppliers'  compliance  with Year 2000  issues and to
determine  whether a  contingency  plan is necessary  by December 31, 1998.  The
Company  anticipates  completing  its  communications  with its major  suppliers
regarding  the Year 2000  issue not later than the first  quarter  of 1999.  The
Company has not incurred  incremental  costs to date and believes the total cost
of the Year 2000  project  will not have a  material  effect on its  results  of
operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

       In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related  Information."  This statement  requires  companies to
report financial and descriptive  information  about their reportable  operating
segments.  Generally,  companies are required to report financial information on
the basis that it is used  internally for  evaluating  segment  performance  and
deciding how to allocate resources to segments.  The Company will adopt SFAS No.
131 for financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1998, and
does not believe the effect of adoption will be material.

     In March 1998,  the  American  Institute of  Certified  Public  Accountants
(AICPA) issued  Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of
Computer  Software  Developed or Obtained  for Internal  Use." This SOP provides
authoritative guidance for the capitalization of certain computer software costs
developed or obtained  for  internal  applications.  Costs  incurred  during the
preliminary project stage, as well as training and data conversion costs, are to
be expensed as incurred.  The SOP is effective for fiscal years  beginning after
December 15, 1998.  The Company has not yet  quantified  the impacts of adopting
SOP 98-1 on its  financial  statements,  but it does not  believe  the effect of
adoption will be material.

<PAGE>


     In April  1998,  the  AICPA  issued  SOP 98-5,  "Reporting  on the Costs of
Start-Up  Activities."  This SOP requires the costs of start-up  activities  and
organization  costs  to be  expensed  as  incurred.  The  SOP is  effective  for
financial  statements  for fiscal years  beginning  after December 15, 1998. The
Company  has not  yet  quantified  the  impacts  of  adoption  on its  financial
statements but does not believe the effects of adoption will be material.

Forward -Looking Statements

     When  used  in  this  Report,  the  words  "intends,"  "expects,"  "plans,"
"estimates," "projects," "believes,"  "anticipates," and similar expressions are
intended  to  identify   forward-looking   statements.   Except  for  historical
information  contained  herein,  the matters  discussed and the statements  made
herein   concerning  the  Company's   future   prospects  are   "forward-looking
statements"  within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act.  Although the Company  believes  that its
plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking  statements
are  reasonable,  it can  give no  assurance  that  such  plans,  intentions  or
expectations  will be achieved.  There can be no assurance  that future  results
will be achieved,  and actual results could differ  materially from the forecast
and  estimates.  Important  factors  that could cause  actual  results to differ
materially  include,  but are not limited to, the  Company's  limited  operating
history, including a history of losses,  significant capital requirements,  high
leverage,  debt service  requirements and restrictive  covenants  related to its
outstanding  securities,  ability to  complete  DRS  Network  construction,  its
dependence on key personnel and ability to manage growth.  The Company's  future
results may also be impacted by other risk  factors  listed in its  Registration
Statement  filed on Form S-4  (333-47235).  In  addition,  such  forward-looking
statements  are  necessarily  based upon  assumptions  and estimates that may be
incorrect  or  imprecise  and involve  known and unknown  risks and other facts.
Given these  uncertainties,  prospective  investors  are  cautioned not to place
undue reliance upon such forward-looking statements.




<PAGE>



                           Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         Exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index.

 (b)     Reports on Form 8-K

         On Current  Report 8-K,  dated  August 13,  1998,  under "Item 5. Other
Events," the Company  filed a press  release  which  announced  the promotion of
Robert Currey to President and Chief Executive Officer.


<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                            Title                              Date


                         President, Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Robert J. Currey              and Director                 November 13, 1998
- ---------------------
Robert J. Currey


/s/ Ronald D. Webster        Chief Financial Officer           November 13, 1998
- ---------------------
Ronald D. Webster


/s/ Byron E. Hill              Corporate Controller            November 13, 1998
- ---------------------
Byron E. Hill



<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Exhibit                   
Number                       Description of Exhibits
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1*   Amended Articles of Incorporation
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2*   By-laws
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1*   Indenture dated February 15, 1998 between the Company, as Issuer,
       and State Street Bank and Trust, as Trustee, with respect to the
       12 1/4Senior Discount Notes Due 2008
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2*   Form of the 12 1/4Senior Discount Notes Due 2008
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3*   Indenture dated as of February 15, 1998 between the Company and
       IBJ Stirred Bank & Trust Company, as Trustee, with respect to the
       Exchange Debenture
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4*   Form of the 13 3/4Senior Cumulative Exchangeable Preferred Stock Due
       2010
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5*   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 2, 1998 by and
       among the Company and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
       BancAmerica Robertson Stephens and BancBoston Securities, Inc., as
       Initial Purchasers
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.1*  Franchise Agreement dated as of June 24, 1996 by and among the
       City of Chicago and the Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.2*  License Agreement dated as of October 27, 1994 by and among the
       Chicago Transit Authority and the Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.3*  CSG Master Subscriber Management System Agreement dated as of May
       28, 1997 by and among CSG Systems, Inc. and the Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.4*  Telemarketing Consultation Agreement dated as of August 5, 1997 by
       and among the Company and ITI Marketing Services, Inc.
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.5*  Pole Attachment Agreement dated as of April 3, 1996 by and among
       the Company and Commonwealth Edison Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.6*  Pole Attachment Agreement dated as of November 14, 1998 by and
       among the Company and Ameritech--Illinois
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.7*  Office Lease dated January 31, 1997 by and among the Company and
       LaSalle National Bank
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.8*  Franchise Agreement dated as of March 16, 1998 by and between the
       Village of Skokie, Illinois and 21st Century Cable TV of Illinois,
       Inc.
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.9*  Interconnection Agreement dated as of May 5, 1997 by and between
       Ameritech  Information  Industry  Services and 21st Century Telecom
       of Illinois, Inc.
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
10.10* Network Products Purchase Agreement by and between Northern
       Telecom Inc. and the Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
21.1*  Subsidiaries of the Company
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------
27.1   Financial Data Schedule
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------

*Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's S-4 Registration
Statement filed on March 3, 1998 (Commission File No. 333-47235).


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This Schedule Contains Summary Financial Data From the Interim Consolidated
Financial Statements Incuded as Part of the Company's Second Quarter 1998 10-Q
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                        0001056751
<NAME>                                     21st Century
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Mar-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 Apr-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1998
<CASH>                                         93,036,071
<SECURITIES>                                   99,561,203
<RECEIVABLES>                                  91,682
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,376
<INVENTORY>                                    3,137,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               196,527,994
<PP&E>                                         50,018,097
<DEPRECIATION>                                 3,138,580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 257,237,305
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          10,416,825
<BONDS>                                        215,940,951
                          50,524,033
                                    23,657,752
<COMMON>                                       11,069,364
<OTHER-SE>                                     54,371,620
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   257,237,305
<SALES>                                        420,037
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               420,037
<CGS>                                          1,969,654
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  3,898,926
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               10,501,162
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             12,495,974
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (20,320,951)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (20,320,951)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (20,320,951)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (7.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (7.50)
        


</TABLE>


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