<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 12/31/96
10-Q OF GARDEN STATE NEWSPAPERS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,168
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,091
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,694
<INVENTORY>                                      6,198
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,817
<PP&E>                                         159,801
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,837
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 376,645
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,800
<BONDS>                                        341,049
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (29,618)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   376,645
<SALES>                                        139,965
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               139,965
<CGS>                                           50,289
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  119,443
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,274
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,142)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       683
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,825)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,825)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0