<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains summary financial  information  extracted from financial
statements in the Form 10-Q of Brill Media Company, LLC for the six months ended
August 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such  financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                       MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                 5,364,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          5,781,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                              712,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      12,890,000
<PP&E>                                                                21,749,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         9,570,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        66,970,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  6,403,000
<BONDS>                                                              111,058,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                          (50,490,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          66,970,000
<SALES>                                                               20,693,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      20,693,000
<CGS>                                                                 17,646,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         17,646,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          96,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     5,866,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      (2,915,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              82,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  (2,996,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         (2,996,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                  0
        

</TABLE>