<ARTICLE>5

<LEGEND>
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 qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                         317,782
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   79,193
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,101
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               704,060
<PP&E>                                          21,455
<DEPRECIATION>                                (11,706)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 902,067
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          117,985
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           510
<OTHER-SE>                                     783,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   902,067
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               671,277
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  395,489
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,507
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                221,926
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,544
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            143,382
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   143,382
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.82