<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BUSSE BROADCASTING CORPORATION AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-29-1996 <CASH> 7,989,805 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,909,890 <ALLOWANCES> 60,900 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 12,694,995 <PP&E> 17,425,919 <DEPRECIATION> 3,098,527 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 82,153,823 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,174,795 <BONDS> 60,464,182 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 21,994,131 <COMMON> 1,077 <OTHER-SE> (4,421,863) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 82,153,823 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 19,274,171 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,693,313 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (233,733) <LOSS-PROVISION> 58,780 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,400,340 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,585,749) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,585,749) <DISCONTINUED> (1,709,168) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,294,917) <EPS-PRIMARY> (101.749) <EPS-DILUTED> 0