<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Company's Financial Statements as of June 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000061004 <NAME> Lynch Corporation <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLAR <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 21,549 <SECURITIES> 1,135 <RECEIVABLES> 59,512 <ALLOWANCES> 1,496 <INVENTORY> 48,334 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 159,801 <PP&E> 246,603 <DEPRECIATION> 69,240 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 472,938 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 139,445 <BONDS> 244,272 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,139 <OTHER-SE> 32,705 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 472,938 <SALES> 248,233 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 248,233 <CGS> 214,432 <TOTAL-COSTS> 235,646 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,534 <INCOME-PRETAX> 900 <INCOME-TAX> 378 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 888 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 888 <EPS-PRIMARY> .63 <EPS-DILUTED> .63