<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. FOR THE TWO FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 28, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1998
<CASH>                                           5,249
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,660
<ALLOWANCES>                                       269
<INVENTORY>                                      9,987
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,003
<PP&E>                                          47,299
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,881
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 633,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,052
<BONDS>                                        484,634
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           428
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   633,331
<SALES>                                        145,914
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,914
<CGS>                                          119,377
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  119,377
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (4,076)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,937
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,676
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,205
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,471
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,161)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (690)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.02)