<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001062771
<NAME> ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC.
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,024                   8,095
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,372                  20,647
<ALLOWANCES>                                       553                     551
<INVENTORY>                                      1,921                   1,919
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,706                  41,257
<PP&E>                                          17,301                  18,671
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,155                   5,824
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 298,497                 337,864
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,066                  61,067
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            10                      10
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,724                  90,280
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   298,497                  90,290
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               187,656                  55,748
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  126,103                  36,895
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,748                  14,261
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,117                   3,814
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,312)                     778
<INCOME-TAX>                                       583                      54
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,895)                     724
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,895)                     724
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.90)                     .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.90)                     .72