<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
LIN TELEVISION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000931058
<NAME> LIN TELEVISION CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           8,046                  27,952                  18,025
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,842                  54,626                  52,696
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,197                   1,960                   1,964
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,472                  97,426                  86,051
<PP&E>                                         179,765                 175,323                 148,180
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,172                  68,882                  52,610
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 569,325                 595,944                 587,256
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,208                  40,858                  52,035
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           299                     297                     295
<OTHER-SE>                                     192,266                 138,151                  86,139
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   569,325                 595,944                 587,256
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               291,519                 273,367                 217,247
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  184,064                 174,207                 132,219
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,738                     995                     320
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   971                     496                     527
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,340                  26,582                  26,262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,709                  72,937                  59,704
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,602                  26,476                  21,674
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,107                  46,461                  38,030
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,107                  46,461                  38,030
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.62                    1.57                    1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58                    1.54                    1.28
        


</TABLE>