<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 PARTNERHIP 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           4,436
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,897
<ALLOWANCES>                                       905
<INVENTORY>                                      4,898
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,142
<PP&E>                                          86,254
<DEPRECIATION>                                  44,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 111,396
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,405
<BONDS>                                        102,430
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   111,396
<SALES>                                         17,134
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                72,667
<CGS>                                            6,788
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,391
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,005
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,903)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,903)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,903)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0