<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000891983
<NAME> MUZAK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          17,079
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,420
<ALLOWANCES>                                       470
<INVENTORY>                                      3,286
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,606
<PP&E>                                          75,017
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,972
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 111,243
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,947
<BONDS>                                        100,756
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   111,243
<SALES>                                         10,910
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,098
<CGS>                                            8,151
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   29,651
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                40,286
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   361
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,071
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,385)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,385)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,385)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0