<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          13,999
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,111
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,176
<INVENTORY>                                      9,654
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               130,959
<PP&E>                                         788,123
<DEPRECIATION>                                 328,224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,529,676
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          111,943
<BONDS>                                      1,592,066
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       689,591
<OTHER-SE>                                   (857,928)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,529,676
<SALES>                                         21,574
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               342,242
<CGS>                                           20,227
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  267,483
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (67,050)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 9,874
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              65,665
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,054
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,054
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,377)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,323)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.05)