<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NTN COMMUNICATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 3,466,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2,283,000 <ALLOWANCES> 1,600,000 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,643,000 <PP&E> 9,929,000 <DEPRECIATION> 876,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 24,567,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 12,083,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1,000 <COMMON> 116,000 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 24,567,000 <SALES> 6,540,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,540,000 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 12,738,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (211,000) <INCOME-PRETAX> (6,347,000) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,347,000) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,347,000) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.27) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.27)