<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           6,135
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,446
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     13,220
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,841
<PP&E>                                          39,677
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,470
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 660,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          119,467
<BONDS>                                        481,535
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           421
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   660,212
<SALES>                                         82,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,116
<CGS>                                           60,937
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,937
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   335
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,022
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,822
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,385
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,437
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,437
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.08