<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Company's Financial Statements as of September 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000061004 <NAME> Lynch Corporation <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. Dollar <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 20,491 <SECURITIES> 1,249 <RECEIVABLES> 62,699 <ALLOWANCES> 1,125 <INVENTORY> 50,966 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 165,333 <PP&E> 261,930 <DEPRECIATION> 73,877 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 484,119 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 145,599 <BONDS> 246,810 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,139 <OTHER-SE> 34,356 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 484,119 <SALES> 382,864 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 382,864 <CGS> 331,156 <TOTAL-COSTS> 362,732 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20,621 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,289 <INCOME-TAX> 1,801 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,037 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,037 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.14 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.14