<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. FOR THE THREE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED
DECEMBER 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1997
<CASH>                                           3,469
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,322
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (386)
<INVENTORY>                                      8,782
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,629
<PP&E>                                          41,314
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (16,695)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 644,820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,946
<BONDS>                                        449,865
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           427
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,939
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   644,820
<SALES>                                        235,805
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               235,805
<CGS>                                          179,196
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  179,196
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   942
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,489
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,676
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,813
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,813
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16