<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF CENTURYTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF
JUNE 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE
SIX MONTH PERIOD THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 49,685
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 212,865
<ALLOWANCES> 5,132
<INVENTORY> 24,699
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 292,601
<PP&E> 4,318,707
<DEPRECIATION> 2,082,816
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,721,867
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 336,712
<BONDS> 1,953,844
0
7,975
<COMMON> 140,540
<OTHER-SE> 1,799,036
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,721,867
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 836,112
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 599,798
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 71,309
<INCOME-PRETAX> 184,381
<INCOME-TAX> 77,252
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 107,129
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 107,129
<EPS-BASIC> .76
<EPS-DILUTED> .76
</TABLE>