<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
International Family Entertainment Inc.'s Consolidated Financial Statements as
of and for the year ending December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such Consolidated Financial Statements included in the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,997
<SECURITIES>                                     9,053
<RECEIVABLES>                                  143,677
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,788
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               237,251
<PP&E>                                          92,737
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,860
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 568,683
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,183
<BONDS>                                        171,251
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       152,316
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   568,683
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               332,810
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  276,646
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   551
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,551
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,860
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,735
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,125
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69