<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF BOSTON CELTICS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          72,690
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,297
<PP&E>                                              45
<DEPRECIATION>                                      26
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  86,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,783
<BONDS>                                         83,184
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (43,564)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    86,351
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,224
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,383
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,581)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,481)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,256)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,736)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.88)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.88)