<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> INTERMEDIA CAPITAL PARTNERS IV, L.P. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 6,654 <SECURITIES> 74,828 <RECEIVABLES> 18,723 <ALLOWANCES> (1,990) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 58,801 <PP&E> 233,640<F1> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 964,263 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 47,506 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 12,571 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 52,094 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 964,263 <SALES> 60,819 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 60,819 <CGS> 13,025<F2> <TOTAL-COSTS> 65,760 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 170 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,263 <INCOME-PRETAX> (22,996) <INCOME-TAX> (1,488) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (21,722) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (21,722) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1>PP&E IS SHOWN NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION. <F2>INCLUDES PROGRAM FEES AND OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES </FN>