<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNITEL VIDEO
INC.'S FORM 10K FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                             192
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,413
<ALLOWANCES>                                       712
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,534
<PP&E>                                         120,440
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,974
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  67,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,890
<BONDS>                                         38,815
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            26
<OTHER-SE>                                      17,784
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    67,618
<SALES>                                         79,287
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,287
<CGS>                                           65,501
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,501
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,897
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   407
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,686
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,084)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        40
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,124)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,124)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0