<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
consolidated financial statement of Getty Communications plc and subsidiaries
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated 
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           29234
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    23431
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2800
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 60504
<PP&E>                                           63702
<DEPRECIATION>                                   23849
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  171638
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            37442
<BONDS>                                          16342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           608
<OTHER-SE>                                      118931
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    171638
<SALES>                                         100797
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                100797
<CGS>                                            37514
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    37514
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 55403
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   536
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1187
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   7895
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3873
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               4022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      4022
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10