<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