<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000863437
<NAME> HECTOR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 15,529,531
<SECURITIES> 0
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<PP&E> 92,072,180
<DEPRECIATION> 37,106,654
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 159,747,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,426,732
<BONDS> 85,530,830
0
221,300
<COMMON> 35,204
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 159,747,411
<SALES> 27,588,975
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 27,588,975
<CGS> 19,440,284
<TOTAL-COSTS> 19,440,284
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (3,738,315)
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<INCOME-TAX> 3,244,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,166,051
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</TABLE>