<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5 
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-QSB OF BRILLIANT DIGITAL
ENTERTAINMENT, INC. TO WHICH THIS EXHIBIT IS A PART AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
SHARE DATA).

</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                           6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                    JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                      JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                  5,442
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             245
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            (141)
<INVENTORY>                                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                        5,651
<PP&E>                                                                    879
<DEPRECIATION>                                                          (342)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          6,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     877
<BONDS>                                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                    7
<OTHER-SE>                                                              5,577
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            6,461
<SALES>                                                                   322
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          322
<CGS>                                                                      17
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                           2,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       (1,757)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              (2)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   (1,759)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         (1,759)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          (.24)
        


</TABLE>