<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001038336 <NAME> CENCOM CABLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 122,582,298 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 104,843,403 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 245,973 <OTHER-SE> (38,007,078) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 122,582,298 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,404,598 <INCOME-PRETAX> (26,941,399) <INCOME-TAX> (26,941,399) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (26,941,399) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (26,941,399) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0