<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> US DOLLAR <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,341 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 112,313 <ALLOWANCES> 2,472 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 167,770 <PP&E> 154,333 <DEPRECIATION> 11,711 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,707,297 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 173,645 <BONDS> 400,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 11 <COMMON> 349 <OTHER-SE> 236,893 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,707,297 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 378,488 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 289,585 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 84,314 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,067 <INCOME-TAX> 6,936 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,131 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,131 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.03 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.03