MCI WorldCom and Sprint Corporation are discussing a potential deal that would combine the number two and three US long-distance telephone companies to create a powerful rival to industry leader AT&T, sources said yesterday.

MCI WorldCom and Sprint had been in informal talks for some time, but negotiations intensified as Bell Atlantic and Vodafone AirTouch forged their recent wireless telephone joint venture, sources said.

The Sprint PCS wireless business would be an attractive asset for MCI WorldCom, which lacks wireless operations. The combined company would control about 32% of the long-distance phone market, well below the 60% controlled by AT&T. MCI and Sprint declined to comment.

Sprint, long seen as a prime takeover target, has been working to restructure its loss-making venture with Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom.