<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Marvel
(Parent) Holdings Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of
Operations.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000909169
<NAME> MARVEL (PARENT) HOLDINGS INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                      22,700,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              251,400,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                36,200,000
<INVENTORY>                                 95,900,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           463,000,000
<PP&E>                                     112,500,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              30,300,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,507,700,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      261,400,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                               (186,700,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,507,700,000
<SALES>                                    371,800,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           371,800,000
<CGS>                                      229,300,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              229,300,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           117,300,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          61,200,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (53,900,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (3,800,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (51,700,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (51,700,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0