<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-Q OF
MUZAK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000891983
<NAME> MUZAK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          10,316
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,880
<ALLOWANCES>                                       631
<INVENTORY>                                      3,855
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,841
<PP&E>                                          80,583
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,530
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 105,170
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,616
<BONDS>                                        100,409
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   105,170
<SALES>                                          5,567
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,396
<CGS>                                            2,214
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,826
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,723
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,683
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,900)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,900)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0