<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORP. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.

<CIK> 0000796486
<NAME> ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         146,286
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  250,023
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                      17,742,033
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,036,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                     11,005,411
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,420
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,849,694
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,036,917
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,104,702
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,915,995
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             634,090
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (367,110)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (63,803)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (303,307)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (346,525)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.64)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.64)

<F1>RECEIVABLES NET OF ALLOWANCE
<F2>PP&E NET OF DEPRECIATION