<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000065873
<NAME> ALLTEL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 8,269
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,194,084
<ALLOWANCES> 45,840
<INVENTORY> 201,198
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,700,116
<PP&E> 11,610,694
<DEPRECIATION> 5,316,106
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,840,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,491,177
<BONDS> 4,214,460
0
502
<COMMON> 312,656
<OTHER-SE> 4,696,684
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,840,900
<SALES> 479,187
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,223,220
<CGS> 484,784
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,960,131
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 24,593
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 224,994
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,904,641
<INCOME-TAX> 1,201,067
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,703,574
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 0
<EPS-BASIC> 5.41
<EPS-DILUTED> 5.36
</TABLE>