<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED LIN TELEVISION CORPORATION AND PREDECESSOR CONSOLIDATED BALANCE 
SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000931058
<NAME> LIN TELEVISION CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   1-MO                    2-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1998             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-02-1998             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          17,722                  16,065                  28,493
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,836                  52,148                  49,182
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,067                   2,296                   2,102
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,503                  94,582                  97,315
<PP&E>                                         124,842                 180,600                 176,191
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,267                  74,152                  66,086
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,790,270                 577,338                 595,789
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,596                  51,863                  46,570
<BONDS>                                        299,302                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                     299                     298
<OTHER-SE>                                     741,249                 197,871                 146,801
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,790,270                 577,338                 595,789
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,211                  43,804                  61,662
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,973                  31,312                  44,545
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   462                   8,860                     403
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    95                     131                     279
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,535                   2,764                   5,718
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,709)                     966                  11,383
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,019                   3,710                   4,246
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,728)                 (2,744)                   7,137
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,728)                 (2,744)                   7,137
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                  (0.09)                    0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                  (0.09)                    0.23
        

</TABLE>