<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HOLDCO FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000791024
<NAME> HOME SHOPPING NETWORK INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         234,903
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  317,298
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    411,727
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               978,613
<PP&E>                                         161,784
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,262
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,000,841
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          705,704
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,221,408
<OTHER-SE>                                      98,764
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,000,841
<SALES>                                      2,205,510
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,205,510
<CGS>                                        1,274,784
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,274,784
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               698,996
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             103,258
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                129,140
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,313
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,565
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,565
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0