<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated financial statements of Telecom*USA Publishing Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the three years ended August 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,099,312 <ALLOWANCES> 3,102,923 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 22,874,817 <PP&E> 7,129,908 <DEPRECIATION> 3,433,755 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 41,192,833 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,320,328 <BONDS> 16,228,889 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 4,194,075 <OTHER-SE> 2,876,655 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 41,192,833 <SALES> 52,117,929 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 52,117,929 <CGS> 22,340,587 <TOTAL-COSTS> 22,340,587 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 23,998,437 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,692,093 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,767,309 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,070,503 <INCOME-TAX> 975,610 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,422,120 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,422,120 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.43 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.36