<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-K 
OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000030697
<NAME>                        TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                                         129,480
<SECURITIES>                                    46,165
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,882
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     57,394
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               355,759
<PP&E>                                          52,469
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,636
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,004,873
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          225,673
<BONDS>                                        604,830
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,555
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,433
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,004,873
<SALES>                                        794,790
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               861,321
<CGS>                                          471,937
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  471,937
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,003
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              71,648
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (23,090)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,742
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (20,553)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  20,718
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,781)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,616)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.12)