<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM the Consolidated
Balance Sheet at September 30, 2000 and the Consolidated Statement of Earnings
for the three months ended September 30, 2000 of Meredith Corporation and
subsidiaries AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000065011
<NAME> MEREDITH CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          15,347
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  134,210<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     38,184
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               289,101
<PP&E>                                         334,272
<DEPRECIATION>                                 145,743
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,453,278
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          353,541
<BONDS>                                        465,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        50,087
<OTHER-SE>                                     374,828
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,453,278
<SALES>                                        250,022
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               250,022
<CGS>                                          110,545
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  110,545
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,839
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,520
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,867
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,398
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,469
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,469
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32
<FN>
<F1>Net of allowances
</FN>