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> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> 08/31/97 <PERIOD-START> 03/01/97 <PERIOD-END> 05/31/97 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> $509,775 <SECURITIES> $0 <RECEIVABLES> $70,489 <ALLOWANCES> $4,101 <INVENTORY> $0 <CURRENT ASSETS> $658,015 <PP&E> $20,967 <DEPRECIATION> $(11,750) <TOTAL-ASSETS> $861,683 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> $109,895 <BONDS> $0 <COMMON> $509 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> $0 <PREFERRED> $0 <OTHER-SE> $751,788 <PAGE 2> <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> $861,683 <SALES> $0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> $166,751 <CGS> $0 <TOTAL-COSTS> $97,745 <OTHER-EXPENSES> $22,385 <LOSS-PROVISION> $0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> $0 <INCOME-PRETAX> $54,890 <INCOME-TAX> $19,185 <INCOME-CONTINUING> $35,705 <DISCONTINUED> $0 <EXTRAORDINARY> $0 <CHANGES> $0 <NET-INCOME> $35,705 <EPS-PRIMARY> $0.95 <EPS-DILUTED> $0.95