<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM e.spire
COMMUNICATION,INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 9/30/00 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 46,144
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 155,070
<ALLOWANCES> (27,299)
<INVENTORY> 6,867
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 180,782
<PP&E> 942,327
<DEPRECIATION> (242,811)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 932,775
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 114,747
<BONDS> 937,097
0
315,594
<COMMON> 533
<OTHER-SE> (494,530)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 932,775
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 250,254
<CGS> 148,377
<TOTAL-COSTS> 228,523
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (4,241)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 93,030
<INCOME-PRETAX> (215,435)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (215,435)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (215,435)
<EPS-BASIC> (5.27)
<EPS-DILUTED> (5.27)
</TABLE>