<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MCLEODUSA INCORPORATED AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 931,300 931,300
<SECURITIES> 324,500 324,500
<RECEIVABLES> 316,000 316,000
<ALLOWANCES> 49,800 49,800
<INVENTORY> 33,200 33,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,647,000 1,647,000
<PP&E> 2,188,600 2,188,600
<DEPRECIATION> 290,600 290,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,069,500 7,069,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 787,100 787,100
<BONDS> 2,370,400 2,370,400
1,000,000 1,000,000
12 12
<COMMON> 5,800 5,800
<OTHER-SE> 2,872,600 2,872,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,069,500 7,069,500
<SALES> 331,800 620,100
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 331,800 620,100
<CGS> 196,400 344,400
<TOTAL-COSTS> 196,400 344,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 227,900 403,700
<LOSS-PROVISION> 9,000 16,100
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 42,000 72,900
<INCOME-PRETAX> (125,700) (184,200)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (125,700) (184,200)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (125,700) (184,200)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.24) (0.40)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.24) (0.40)
</TABLE>