<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)