<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LIN
TELEVISION CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH LIN TELEVISION
CORPORATION'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q-JUNE 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          16,952
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,898
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,105
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,881
<PP&E>                                         171,896
<DEPRECIATION>                                  67,452
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 586,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,857
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           298
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,264
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   586,111
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               144,967
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   97,382
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   865
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   509
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,223
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,184
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,497
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,687
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,687
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75