<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the combined
balance sheets of Pegasus Media & Communication, Inc. as of December 31, 1997
and September 30, 1998 (unaudited) and the related combined statements of
operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997
(unaudited) and September 30, 1998 (unaudited). This information is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1   
<CASH>                                      29,845,057              29,845,057
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,113,433              16,113,433
<ALLOWANCES>                                   368,000                 368,000
<INVENTORY>                                  3,555,089               3,555,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            56,961,457              56,961,457
<PP&E>                                      46,792,831              46,792,831
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,212,016              21,212,016
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             446,680,952             446,680,952
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       39,630,883              39,630,883
<BONDS>                                     82,278,912              82,278,912
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                  3,000,000               3,000,000
<COMMON>                                         1,700                   1,700
<OTHER-SE>                                 216,838,619             216,838,619
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               446,680,952             446,680,952
<SALES>                                     35,998,444              99,197,840
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            35,998,444              99,197,840
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               43,440,719             116,049,895
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          (25,055,616)            (24,971,905)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,530,075              11,352,066
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,083,266             (3,232,216)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    50,000                 175,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,033,266             (3,407,216)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,033,266             (3,407,216)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    76.67                 (20.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    76.67                 (20.04)
        



</TABLE>