<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LIN HOLDINGS
CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH LIN HOLDINGS CORP. QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001062707
<NAME> LIN HOLDINGS CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          38,029
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,497
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,141
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                97,887
<PP&E>                                         130,907
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,385
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,797,767
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,433
<BONDS>                                        680,635
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     537,096
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,797,767
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               177,574
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  146,537
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,746
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   337
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,145
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,854)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,842
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (24,696)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (24,696)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
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