<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> UNITEL VIDEO, INC., FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 137 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,551 <ALLOWANCES> 412 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 6,778 <PP&E> 111,135 <DEPRECIATION> 59,228 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 63,083 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,433 <BONDS> 38,604 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 27 <OTHER-SE> 13,365 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 63,083 <SALES> 58,767 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 58,767 <CGS> 49,708 <TOTAL-COSTS> 49,708 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,783 <LOSS-PROVISION> (10) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,430 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,398) <INCOME-TAX> 38 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,436) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,436) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.66) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.66)