<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
the schedule contains summary financial information extracted from audited
financial statements of viacom inc. for the year ended december 31, 1995 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                             464
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,998
<ALLOWANCES>                                       126
<INVENTORY>                                        903
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,199
<PP&E>                                           3,975
<DEPRECIATION>                                     757
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  29,026
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,099
<BONDS>                                         10,712
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,200
<COMMON>                                             4
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,890
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    29,026
<SALES>                                         11,689
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,689
<CGS>                                            7,073
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,195
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 821
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    689
<INCOME-TAX>                                       417
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                215
<DISCONTINUED>                                       8
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       163
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43