<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
-----------------------------------
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
------------- ------------
Commission File Number 0-24924
-------------------------------
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 51-0260858
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 Gateway Towers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
412-281-1907
(Registrant's telephone number)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of May 11, 1998:
Common Stock, Class A 18,765,924
Common Stock, Class B 19,299,540
<PAGE>
PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1998 1997
------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 639,200 $ 426,596
Accounts receivable, less allowance for
doubtful accounts (March 31, 1998--$2,499;
December 31, 1997--$2,495) 3,545 3,188
Receivable from related parties 3,900 3,977
Inventory held for resale 2,151 2,175
Prepaid expenses and other assets 4,665 2,485
Restricted cash and investments 31,796 30,373
Deferred income taxes 1,523 1,523
-------------------- -------------------
Total current assets 686,780 470,317
Property and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation and amortization (March 31, 1998--
$36,549; December 31, 1997--$34,827) 83,809 33,837
Marketable equity securities, at fair value
(cost: March 31, 1998--$6,958;
December 31, 1997--$7,726) 1,025,905 841,311
Notes receivable from related parties 20,503 20,558
Restricted investments 64,599 64,702
Other noncurrent assets 78,693 72,397
-------------------- -------------------
Total assets $ 1,960,289 $ 1,503,122
==================== ===================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1998 1997
------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 53,672 $ 18,083
Employee compensation 3,500 2,748
Interest payable 12,128 3,354
Short-term obligations 120,703 110,991
Current portion of long-term debt 2,082 2,082
Other current liabilities 7,447 6,406
-------------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities 199,532 143,664
Deferred compensation 2,651 2,417
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 559,726 306,244
Deferred income taxes 315,085 257,689
Minority interests 155,926 174,588
Commitments and contingencies - -
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued - -
Class A Common Stock, par value $.10 per share;
authorized 100,000,000 shares; 18,765,924 issued
and outstanding in 1998 and 1997 1,876 1,876
Class B Common Stock, par value $.10 per share;
authorized 50,000,000 shares; 19,295,540 and
18,854,760 issued and outstanding in 1998 and 1997 1,930 1,885
Additional paid-in capital 143,218 134,716
Accumulated deficit (81,971) (61,787)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 662,316 541,830
-------------------- -------------------
Total stockholders' equity 727,369 618,520
-------------------- -------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,960,289 $ 1,503,122
==================== ===================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended March 31,
1998 1997
-----------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 7,380 $ 5,642
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services 10,981 3,087
Direct research and development expenses 1,856 1,577
Sales, general and administrative expenses 25,789 8,831
Stock-based compensation expense 6,630 2,084
Depreciation and amortization expense 2,881 1,332
------------------ ------------------
48,137 16,911
------------------ ------------------
Operating loss (40,757) (11,269)
Other income (expense):
Gain on sale of marketable equity securities 1,162 2,223
Interest and dividend income 8,556 524
Interest expense (13,953) (1,566)
Other (108) 32
Minority interests 22,635 (1,393)
------------------ ------------------
18,292 (180)
------------------ ------------------
Loss before income taxes (22,465) (11,449)
Income tax benefit 2,281 2,343
------------------ ------------------
Net loss $ (20,184) $ (9,106)
================== ==================
Net loss per common share $ (.53) $ (.24)
================== ==================
Weighted average common shares outstanding 37,828 37,573
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended March 31,
1998 1997
-----------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss $ (20,184) $ (9,106)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,881 1,332
Amortization of discount on long-term debt 2,947 -
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 116 266
Gain on sale of investments (1,162) (2,223)
Stock-based compensation 6,630 2,084
Minority interests (22,635) 1,393
Provision for deferred income taxes (2,396) (2,468)
Other 1,279 546
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (473) (767)
Inventory held for resale 24 (8)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,180) (537)
Restricted cash and investments (1,320) -
Accounts payable (excluding capital assets) (5,340) (1,179)
Employee compensation 752 (786)
Interest payable 8,774 -
Other current liabilities 1,041 921
Deferred compensation 234 240
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities (31,012) (10,292)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment (10,928) (1,712)
Proceeds from sale of investments 1,930 2,245
Purchase of marketable equity securities - (767)
Increase in receivable from related parties (610) (591)
Investments in and acquisitions of wireless
communications affiliates - (5,967)
Other investing activities, net (255) (13)
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (9,863) (6,805)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from short-term obligations, net 9,712 16,710
Proceeds from long-term debt 250,703 -
Repayment of long-term debt (168) (170)
Payment of debt issue costs (7,558) -
Other financing activities, net 790 18
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 253,479 16,558
------------------ -----------------
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents 212,604 (539)
Cash And Cash Equivalents At Beginning Of Period 426,596 3,341
------------------ -----------------
Cash And Cash Equivalents At End Of Period $ 639,200 $ 2,802
================== =================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE>
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of The Associated
Group, Inc. ("Associated") and Subsidiaries (the "Company," as used herein,
includes all consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise
indicates) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form
10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of
the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management,
all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary
for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three
months ended March 31, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 1998. For further
information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997.
Certain amounts in the financial statements for the 1997 periods have been
reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation for the
current period. These reclassifications have no effect on the net loss.
Consolidated subsidiaries include Teligent, Inc. ("Teligent"), a development
stage company founded in 1996 which intends to be a provider of high-quality,
low-cost voice, data and video telecommunications services primarily to small
and medium-sized businesses in 74 of the more populous U.S. metropolitan areas
in which it holds licenses from the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"),
and Grupo Portatel, S.A. de C.V. and subsidiaries ("Grupo"), a cellular
telephone service provider in southeastern Mexico.
2. MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES
The cost and market value of marketable equity securities classified as
available for sale at March 31, 1998, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cost of Market Value of
Name of Issuer and Number of Each Issue Each Issue
Title of Each Issue Shares In Thousands In Thousands
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tele-Communications, Inc.:
Series A TCI Group Common Stock 9,111,202 $ 2,559 $ 283,301
Series B TCI Group Common Stock 7,123,167 1,178 231,503
Series A TCI Ventures Group Common Stock 6,737,548 946 118,749
Series A Liberty Media Group Common Stock 8,180,955 1,339 281,220
Series B Liberty Media Group Common Stock 2,651,944 273 93,150
TCI Satellite Entertainment, Inc.:
Series A Common Stock 1,247,997 334 8,892
Series B Common Stock 707,185 90 5,039
Others Various 239 4,051
------------------------------------
$ 6,958 $1,025,905
====================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
On January 8, 1998, the Board of Directors of Tele-Communications, Inc.
("TCI") declared a two-for-one stock split, effected in the form of a stock
dividend, of Series A TCI Ventures Group Common Stock, and a three-for-two
stock split, effected in the form of a dividend, of Series A Liberty Media
Group Common Stock and Series B Liberty Media Group Common Stock. Also in
January 1998, the Company received 51,315 shares of Series B TCI Group Common
Stock awarded in connection with the settlement of litigation involving the
merger of TCI and Liberty Media Corporation in 1994.
During the first quarter of 1998 and 1997, the company sold certain marketable
securities for proceeds of approximately $1,930,000 and $2,245,000,
respectively. These sales resulted in pretax gains of $1,162,000 and
$2,223,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Including the effects of the sale of marketable equity securities during the
periods, adjustments to the unrealized gain on marketable equity securities,
net of tax, recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity were
$120,486,000 and $13,735,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
3. SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
The Company's outstanding short-term obligations were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Bank borrowing $ 19,000 $ 19,000
Three brokerage margin loan facilities 101,703 91,991
----------------- -----------------
$120,703 $110,991
================= =================
</TABLE>
At March 31, 1998, an aggregate of 8,511,202 and 6,737,548 shares of Series A
TCI Group Common Stock and Series A TCI Ventures Group Common Stock,
respectively, was pledged as collateral under the Company's short-term credit
facilities.
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
On February 20, 1998, Teligent completed an offering of $440 million 11 1/2%
Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "Discount Notes"). The Discount Notes
carry zero-coupon interest until March 1, 2003, after which the Discount Notes
pay interest at 11 1/2%, payable March 1 and September 1 through March 1,
2008. Teligent received approximately $243,145,000 proceeds from the offering,
net of offering expenses of approximately $7,558,000.
The Company's long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Teligent 11 1/2% Senior Notes due 2007 $300,000 $300,000
Teligent 11 1/2% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 253,650 -
Grupo loans 6,076 6,244
----------------- -----------------
$559,726 $306,244
================= =================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
5. CAPITAL STOCK AND PER SHARE DATA
On October 7, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two-for-one
stock split of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock,
effected in the form of a stock dividend of one share of Class A Common Stock
and one share of Class B Common Stock for each outstanding share of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, held by stockholders of
record on October 17, 1997. Per share amounts and the weighted average number
of shares outstanding for the 1997 period have been restated to reflect the
stock dividend.
During the three months ended March 31, 1998, shares outstanding of the
Company's Class B Common Stock increased by 440,780 shares as a result of
stock option exercises.
Loss per common share data is presented in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, and is calculated using the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Fully diluted net loss per
share including stock options is not presented since the effect of including the
stock options would be antidilutive.
6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." SFAS No. 130 establishes new rules for the reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components; however, the adoption of
this Statement had no impact on the Company's net loss or stockholders' equity.
During the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, total comprehensive
income (loss) amounted to $100,286,000 and ($18,527,000), respectively,
including other comprehensive income for the unrealized gains and losses on the
Company's available-for-sale securities. Accumulated other comprehensive income
represents unrealized gains on marketable equity securities, net of deferred
taxes of $356,631,000 and $291,755,000, as of March 31, 1998 and December 31,
1997, respectively.
7. INCOME TAXES
The Company's income tax provision includes the income taxes for the
consolidated income tax return of Associated as well as the separate income
tax returns of Grupo and Teligent. As a result of the merger of Teligent,
L.L.C. into Teligent in November 1997, the Company's pro-rata share of
Teligent's losses for the period prior to the merger were included in
Associated's tax returns; however, subsequent to the merger Teligent will file
separate income tax returns. Teligent has recorded a valuation allowance to
offset the income tax benefit generated in the three months ended March 31,
1998, resulting in a reduction in the Company's consolidated effective tax
rate as compared to the statutory rate.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
This Form 10-Q contains certain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors including, but not limited to economic, key employee,
competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's
growth, operations, markets, products, services, licenses and other factors
discussed in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These factors may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective
investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements.
Financial Condition
Corporate
The Company has funded significant start-up operating and capital
costs for its wireless communications related businesses and interests,
primarily Teligent and TruePosition, during 1998 and 1997. The Company expects
to continue to incur substantial costs developing these businesses and
technologies. Currently, the Company's cash requirements (other than those of
Teligent) are being met by i) borrowings under margin loan facilities with
three brokerage firms and a bank demand loan, and ii) proceeds from the sale
of investments. The Company's margin loan facilities are secured by shares of
Tele-Communications, Inc. Series A TCI Group Common Stock and
Tele-Communications, Inc. Series A TCI Ventures Group Common Stock. Borrowings
under one of the margin loan facilities are limited to 65% of the market value
of the pledged stock, up to a maximum of $200,000,000. Borrowings under the
other two brokerage margin loan facilities are limited to 50% of the market
value of the pledged stock. Borrowings under the three margin loan facilities
bear interest at variable rates based upon the broker call rate or the Fed Funds
rate plus an applicable margin.
As of May 11, 1998, based on (a) the market value of the 8,511,202
and 6,737,548 shares of Series A TCI Group Common Stock and Series A TCI
Ventures Group Common Stock, respectively, pledged in the aggregate and (b)
aggregate outstanding short-term obligations under these credit facilities of
approximately $124,213,000, the Company's unused borrowing capacity is
approximately $141,046,000. A significant portion of the Company's assets are
liquid, and can be pledged as security for added borrowing capacity. Given the
market value of the remaining shares of the Company's marketable equity
securities portfolio that can be pledged as additional security, the Company's
borrowing facilities may provide for maximum aggregate unused borrowings of
approximately $480,276,000 as of May 11, 1998. The Company's ability to meet
cash needs in the near term for future development depends in large part on
the value of the marketable equity securities. The Company periodically
evaluates its financial position and alternative financing arrangements.
Teligent
Teligent, which was founded in 1996, has experienced significant
operating and net losses and negative operating cash flow to date and expects
to continue to experience operating and net losses and negative operating cash
flow until such time as it develops a revenue-generating customer base
sufficient to fund operating expenses. Teligent's operations have been funded
by both capital invested by strategic investors (including the Company) and
its initial public offering of Class A Common Stock completed in November
1997, as well as public and private debt offerings. On February 20, 1998,
Teligent completed an offering of $440 million 11 1/2% Senior Discount Notes
due 2008 (the "Discount Notes"). The Discount Notes carry zero-coupon interest
until March 1, 2003, after which the Discount Notes pay interest at 11 1/2%
per annum payable March 1 and September 1, through March 1, 2008. Teligent
received approximately $243,145,000 proceeds from the offering, net of
offering expenses of approximately $7,558,000.
<PAGE>
After Teligent initiates service in a significant number of markets,
it expects to achieve positive operating margins over time by increasing the
number of revenue-generating customers and providing additional capacity for
its customers without significantly increasing related capital expenditures,
costs of building access rights and other operating costs. Over time,
Teligent's management believes that Teligent's cost structure will be further
enhanced as the majority of its network deployment costs will consist of
electronics, which tend to decline in price through time as economies of scale
are achieved. Teligent's management expects that operating and net losses and
negative operating cash flow will increase significantly as Teligent
implements its growth strategy.
Historical Cash Flows
Net cash used in operating activities was $31,012,000 and $10,292,000
for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
Company's operating cash needs increased in the 1998 period primarily for
start up expenses of Teligent. Net cash used in investing activities was
$9,863,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1998 and $6,805,000 for the
same period of 1997. The $3,058,000 change between periods was primarily due
to an increase of $9,216,000 in purchases of property and equipment, primarily
by Teligent, offset by a first quarter 1997 payment by Teligent of $5,570,000
for the acquisition of FirstMark, a company which holds 24 GHz fixed wireless
licenses. The Company also sold certain marketable equity securities in the
first quarter of 1998 and 1997, for proceeds of $1,930,000 and $2,245,000,
respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities in the 1998 and 1997
periods were $253,479,000 and $16,558,000, respectively. The increase of
$236,921,000 is principally from the net proceeds of Teligent's 11 1/2% Senior
Discount Notes issued in February 1998, the proceeds of which will be used to
fund the future growth of Teligent.
Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998, Compared to the
Three Months Ended March 31, 1997
Revenues increased $1,738,000, or 31% in the 1998 period compared to
the 1997 period. The increase is attributable to an increase in wireless
communications revenues, principally a result of growth in Grupo's cellular
subscriber base. Cost of sales and services increased $7,894,000, principally
due to operating costs incurred by Teligent, which is currently focusing on
the acquisition of operating sites, deployment of equipment, and other start
up activities in order to initiate service in a number of major markets by the
end of 1998.
Direct research and development expenses were $1,856,000 and
$1,577,000 in the 1998 and 1997 periods, respectively, primarily for
expenditures of TruePosition. Sales, general and administrative expenses were
$25,789,000 and $8,831,000 in the 1998 and 1997 periods, respectively. The
increase of $16,958,000 was principally the result of expenditures relating to
the growth of Teligent's operations.
Stock-based compensation expense is the result of appreciation rights
granted by Teligent, which were converted into stock options ("Conversion
Options") in November 1997 in connection with Teligent's initial public
offering. Such expense was $6,630,000 and $2,084,000 in the first three months
of 1998 and 1997, respectively. The increase in this non-cash charge is
primarily due to additional grants, vesting, and the appreciation in value of
Teligent from the first quarter of 1997 through the date the appreciation
rights were converted into stock options. The value of the Conversion Options
is being amortized over their remaining vesting period.
Depreciation expense increased from $1,332,000 in the three months
ended March 31, 1997, to $2,881,000 in the same period of 1998, principally
due to Teligent's volume of fixed asset purchases in 1997 and continuing in
the first quarter of 1998, and the amortization of licenses acquired by
Teligent in the second half of 1997.
The Company recognized pretax gains on the sales of certain
marketable equity securities in both the 1998 and 1997 periods. The 1998 gain
was $1,162,000 compared to a gain of $2,223,000 in 1997. Interest and dividend
income was $8,556,000 and $524,000 in the 1998 and 1997 periods, respectively.
The increase in 1998 of $8,032,000 is primarily the result of a higher level
of invested funds raised from Teligent's debt and equity offerings in the
fourth quarter of 1997 and first quarter of 1998. Interest expense was
$13,953,000 and $1,566,000
<PAGE>
in the 1998 and 1997 periods, respectively, reflecting the higher level of
long-term debt of Teligent. Minority interests were $22,635,000 and
$(1,393,000) in the 1998 and 1997 periods, respectively. The increase is the
result of the third party ownership interest in the net loss of Teligent in
the period. Such interest was not recognized in 1997 under generally accepted
accounting principles due to the negative equity position of Teligent in 1997.
The Company recognized an income tax benefit (net of foreign tax
expense of Grupo) at an effective rate of approximately 10% and 20% in the
1998 and 1997 periods, respectively. The principal difference between the 1998
effective tax rate and the statutory rate is from valuation allowances
recorded by Teligent (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere herein). The principal difference between the 1997
effective tax rate and the statutory rate is the recognition by the Company of
100% of the net loss of Teligent (which was a limited liability company, taxed
as a partnership, until November 1997) with no minority interest adjustment,
while the Company's tax benefit reflects 55% of such loss (the Company's
ownership interest in Teligent as of March 31, 1997).
The Company's net loss was $20,184,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1998, compared to a net loss of $9,106,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1997. The higher loss in the 1998 period resulted primarily
from increased operating and administrative expenditures for the start-up of
Teligent.
<PAGE>
PART II--OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form
10-Q:
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
27 Article 5 Financial Data Schedule for Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1998 (filed only electronically with the
Securities and Exchange Commission).
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. The Company did not file any reports on Form
8-K during the three months ended March 31, 1998.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 11, 1998 By: /s/ Myles P. Berkman
--------------------
Myles P. Berkman
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer
and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Page Where
Found or
Exhibit Incorporated
Number by Reference
----------- -----------------
27 Article 5 Financial Data Schedule for
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998. *
- ------------------
* Filed only electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of The Associated Group, Inc. as of and for
the three months ended March 31, 1998 included in Form 10-Q for the quarter
ending March 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998
<CASH> 639,200
<SECURITIES> 0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES> 6,044
<ALLOWANCES> 2,499
<INVENTORY> 2,151
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 686,780
<PP&E> 120,358
<DEPRECIATION> 36,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,960,289
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 199,532
<BONDS> 559,726
0
0
<COMMON> 3,806
<OTHER-SE> 723,563
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,960,289
<SALES> 168
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,380
<CGS> 99
<TOTAL-COSTS> 10,981
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,737
<LOSS-PROVISION> 116
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,953
<INCOME-PRETAX> (22,465)
<INCOME-TAX> (2,281)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (20,184)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (20,184)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.53)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F1>Does not include $1,025,905 of noncurrent marketable equity securities and
$96,395 restricted cash and investments.
</TABLE>
