<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 1994 and the Consolidated Statement of
Earnings for the year ended June 30, 1994 of Meredith Corporation and
Subsidiaries AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1994
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<BONDS>                                        126,822
<COMMON>                                        13,721
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