<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) LIN
TELEVISION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) LIN
TELEVISION CORPORATION QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.

<CIK>  0000931058
<NAME>  LIN TELEVISION CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          15,980
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,790
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,791
<INVENTORY>                                          0
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<PP&E>                                         206,431
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,785
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,045,858
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<BONDS>                                        299,427
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<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     659,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,045,858
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               209,166
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  175,947
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                46,612
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (85)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              49,014
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (15,393)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,425
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (53,818)
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (53,818)
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