WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<LEGEND>
                                                  EXHIBIT 27.1

                          FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
                    COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES
                        ARTICLE 5 OF REGULATION S-X

          This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance
Sheets of King World Productions, Inc. and its Subsidiaries and is quali-
fied in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                   
<MULTIPLIER>                          1,000
<CURRENCY>                            U.S. DOLLARS
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         2nd QUARTER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     08/31
<PERIOD-START>                        12/01/96
<PERIOD-END>                          02/28/97
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                       1
<CASH>                                $300,045
<SECURITIES>                          $0
<RECEIVABLES>                         $75,424
<ALLOWANCES>                          $4,115
<INVENTORY>                           $0
<CURRENT ASSETS>                      $699,808
<PP&E>                                $20,661
<DEPRECIATION>                        $11,319
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        $900,124
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 $87,704
<BONDS>                               $0
<COMMON>                              $508
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 $0
<PREFERRED>                           $0
<OTHER-SE>                            $812,420
<PAGE 15>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          $900,124
<SALES>                               $0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      $175,169
<CGS>                                 $0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         $103,764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      $21,254
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      $0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    $0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       $57,185
<INCOME-TAX>                          $20,508
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   $36,667
<DISCONTINUED>                        $0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       $0
<CHANGES>                             $0
<NET-INCOME>                          $36,667
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         $0.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                         $0.97