<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BUSSE
BROADCASTING CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                       7,154,863
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,213,201
<ALLOWANCES>                                   182,291
<INVENTORY>                                    738,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,995,983
<PP&E>                                      20,947,985
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,224,934
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              87,181,714
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,819,399
<BONDS>                                     60,700,569
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 20,788,518
<COMMON>                                         1,077
<OTHER-SE>                                   (947,830)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                87,181,714
<SALES>                                      4,863,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            18,695,414
<CGS>                                        3,643,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               16,663,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (316,139)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                35,100
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,349,360
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (4,001,497)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (4,026,497)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (4,026,497)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (69.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.47)