<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          25,556
<SECURITIES>                                     2,919
<RECEIVABLES>                                   57,572
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,624
<INVENTORY>                                     36,643
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               139,491
<PP&E>                                         213,670
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,012
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 408,988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,317
<BONDS>                                        244,952
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,139
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   408,988
<SALES>                                        348,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               348,922
<CGS>                                          298,231
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  330,283
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 7,024
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,892)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,139)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,536)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,536)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.50)