<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MEDIA
GENERAL, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-26-1999
<CASH> 9,788
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 110,686
<ALLOWANCES> 7,322
<INVENTORY> 18,883
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 172,831
<PP&E> 1,141,918
<DEPRECIATION> 650,080
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,846,727
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 165,562
<BONDS> 797,916
0
0
<COMMON> 132,964
<OTHER-SE> 388,933
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,846,727
<SALES> 506,496
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 506,496
<CGS> 213,160
<TOTAL-COSTS> 213,160
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 55,160
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 42,621
<INCOME-PRETAX> 85,894
<INCOME-TAX> 35,114
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 50,780
<DISCONTINUED> 7,428
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 58,208
<EPS-BASIC> 2.19
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.16
</TABLE>