<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SILVER KING COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          19,837
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      379
<ALLOWANCES>                                        96
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,530
<PP&E>                                          96,221
<DEPRECIATION>                                  71,698
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 131,446
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,180
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            95
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,096
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   131,446
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,036
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      193
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,636
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    73
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,633
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    115
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,173
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,058)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,058)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0