<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GRANITE
BROADCASTING CORPORATION'S 2ND QUARTER 2000 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 1,587,096
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 32,596,039
<ALLOWANCES> (321,394)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 55,372,272
<PP&E> 74,968,717
<DEPRECIATION> (32,422,239)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 715,679,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,799,993
<BONDS> 299,372,776
0
0
<COMMON> 184,381
<OTHER-SE> 38,054,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 715,679,626
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 70,915,059
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 72,247,061
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 753,161
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,427,578
<INCOME-PRETAX> 16,839,258
<INCOME-TAX> (3,675,974)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,163,284
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 3,710,204
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,453,080
<EPS-BASIC> 1.28
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>