<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BUSSE
BROADCASTING CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                      10,075,901
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,148,904
<ALLOWANCES>                                    72,923
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            13,820,869
<PP&E>                                      17,686,089
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,628,794
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              81,843,433
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,347,730
<BONDS>                                     60,571,416
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 23,199,744
<COMMON>                                         1,077
<OTHER-SE>                                 (7,336,542)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                81,843,433
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,264,942
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,060,881
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (165,649)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                10,400
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,078,776
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,709,066)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,709,066)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,709,066)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (27.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0