<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WESTERN
WIRELESS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS OF
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 23,398
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 108,479
<ALLOWANCES> 12,131
<INVENTORY> 9,101
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 172,416
<PP&E> 857,518
<DEPRECIATION> 352,361
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,684,636
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 125,332
<BONDS> 1,712,131
0
0
<COMMON> 689,163
<OTHER-SE> (853,402)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,684,636
<SALES> 35,022
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 541,004
<CGS> 31,858
<TOTAL-COSTS> 419,344
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 110,263
<LOSS-PROVISION> 15,782
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 108,654
<INCOME-PRETAX> 12,580
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,580
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (12,377)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 203
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
</TABLE>