<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
INTERMEDIA CAPITAL PARTNERS IV, L.P.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           4,552
<SECURITIES>                                    60,507
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,316
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,516)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,600
<PP&E>                                         279,300<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 953,340
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,274
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           13,010
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,941
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   953,340
<SALES>                                         63,835
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                63,835
<CGS>                                           13,849<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   134
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,754
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,059)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,338)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (17,946)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (17,946)
<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>