<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>