<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
GENERAL MEDIA, INC'S JUNE  30, 1997 FORM 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                      JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                        JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                    5,927
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            14,385
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  0
<INVENTORY>                                                               4,362
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         28,317
<PP&E>                                                                    4,227
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           44,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                    33,409
<BONDS>                                                                  79,379
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                      5
<OTHER-SE>                                                              (75,265)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             44,779
<SALES>                                                                  50,407
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         50,407
<CGS>                                                                    26,510
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            21,677
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            247
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        4,644
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          (2,671)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      (2,671)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             (2,671)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                 0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                 0
        


</TABLE>