<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BUSSE
BROADCASTING CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                      10,876,808
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,609,174
<ALLOWANCES>                                    95,615
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            15,447,209
<PP&E>                                      18,108,895
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,689,334
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              80,572,889
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,892,690
<BONDS>                                     60,798,493
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                 25,610,971
<COMMON>                                         1,077
<OTHER-SE>                                (11,799,668)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                80,572,889
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,922,085
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               11,840,956
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (336,462)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                31,200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,208,556
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (3,760,965)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,760,965)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,760,965)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (68.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0