<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JUNE
29, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1998
<CASH>                                           1,056
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,002
<ALLOWANCES>                                       269
<INVENTORY>                                     10,372
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                27,442
<PP&E>                                          45,550
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,881
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 637,627
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,304
<BONDS>                                        505,134
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           428
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   637,627
<SALES>                                         73,376
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,376
<CGS>                                           61,151
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,151
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (4,156)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,195
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,186
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,950
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,236
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,161)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (925)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.02)