<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001050935
<NAME> TRANSWESTERN HOLDINGS LP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997             APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997             OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,254                   2,223
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,905                  25,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,626                   7,771
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,463                  28,345
<PP&E>                                           5,938                   6,519
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,098                   3,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  48,231                  48,753
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,439                  27,483
<BONDS>                                         67,514                 173,875
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (50,722)               (152,605)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    48,231                  48,753
<SALES>                                         91,414                  38,254
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                91,414                  38,254
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,041                  35,975
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (48)                     107
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,920                   3,747
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,816                   4,333
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,685                 (5,908)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,685                 (5,908)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                   1,391
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,685                 (7,299)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0