<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 REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          25,642
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,191
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,155
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,469
<PP&E>                                         174,562
<DEPRECIATION>                                  70,869
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 585,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,908
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           298
<OTHER-SE>                                     172,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   585,517
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               216,278
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  144,164
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,005
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   747
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,652
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,028
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,406
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,622
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,622
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07