<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Financial Statements of Pathe Communications Corporation at June 30,
1996 and from the period then ended and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such Condensed Financial Statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             447
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   447
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     857
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          285,176
<BONDS>                                         30,454
<COMMON>                                         1,167
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       857
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   253
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,538
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (9,791)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (9,791)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (9,791)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.08)