<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
International Family Entertainment, Inc.'s Consolidated Financial Statements as
of and for the three months ending March 31, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such Consolidated Financial Statements included in the
Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          29,075
<SECURITIES>                                     9,782
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,180
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,117
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,737
<PP&E>                                          98,784
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 492,495
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,948
<BONDS>                                        154,854
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       153,130
<OTHER-SE>                                      20,688
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   492,495
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                74,492
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,082
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   709
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,639
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,343
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,655
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,688
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,688
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09