<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONATAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001062771
<NAME> ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC.
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          YEAR                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           7,024                  21,974
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,372                  23,312
<ALLOWANCES>                                       553                     633
<INVENTORY>                                      1,921                   1,720
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,706                  58,409
<PP&E>                                          17,301                  19,547
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,155                   6,516
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 298,497                 599,458
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,066                  67,446
<BONDS>                                        148,873                 362,619
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            10                      10
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,724                 154,141
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   298,497                 599,458
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               187,656                 121,212
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  125,308                  80,236
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,748                  34,908
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   795                     518
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,117                  10,491
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,312)                 (4,941)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       583                     229
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,895)                 (5,170)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,895)                 (5,170)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.90)                  (5.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.90)                  (5.17)