<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000061004
<NAME> LYNCH CORPORATION
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          21,026
<SECURITIES>                                     4,035
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,911
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,314
<INVENTORY>                                     38,431
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               129,107
<PP&E>                                         163,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 320,463
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          106,324
<BONDS>                                        138,444
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,139
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,765
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   320,463
<SALES>                                        222,968
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,968
<CGS>                                          189,713
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  211,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,527
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,426
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,439
<DISCONTINUED>                                     743
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,696
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.64