<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POWERTEL, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 280,101
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 39,557
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 16,346
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 562,099
<DEPRECIATION> (204,468)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,361,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 83,983
<BONDS> 956,024
0
3
<COMMON> 313
<OTHER-SE> (145,684)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,361,063
<SALES> 12,966
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 212,271
<CGS> 50,468
<TOTAL-COSTS> 251,852
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 55,640
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,063
<INCOME-PRETAX> (95,221)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (95,221)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (100,096)
<EPS-BASIC> (3.31)
<EPS-DILUTED> (3.31)
</TABLE>