<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-26-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1996
<CASH>                                           8,363
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,239
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      9,122
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,786
<PP&E>                                          38,808
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,665
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 669,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          132,930
<BONDS>                                        485,206
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           421
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   669,049
<SALES>                                        235,496
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               235,496
<CGS>                                          172,510
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  172,510
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,530
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,830
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,626
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,404
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,222
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,222
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17