<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF SOFTKEY INTERNATIONAL INC. AS OF
JUNE 30, 1996, CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH
FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-04-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-07-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-06-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          96,716
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,870
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,944
<INVENTORY>                                     16,390
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               184,405
<PP&E>                                          20,936
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 966,065
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,391
<BONDS>                                        500,000
<COMMON>                                           472
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     267,814
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   966,065
<SALES>                                        147,253
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               147,253
<CGS>                                           40,704
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,704
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               314,336
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 7,122
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,719
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (220,506)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (220,506)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (6.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (6.08)