<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 29, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0000853927
<NAME>  AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1999
<CASH>                                           3,823
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,977
<ALLOWANCES>                                       269
<INVENTORY>                                      9,830
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,280
<PP&E>                                          45,622
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,762
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 616,838
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,406
<BONDS>                                        446,134
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                      60,196
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   616,838
<SALES>                                        293,459
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               293,459
<CGS>                                          228,060
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  228,060
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (2,943)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,897
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,445
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,559
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<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,161)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,725
<EPS-BASIC>                                        0
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