<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SODAK GAMING INC.'S FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       3,575,868
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,633,784
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,418,120
<INVENTORY>                                 25,471,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            79,456,541
<PP&E>                                      68,391,535
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,008,712
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             179,784,990
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       42,603,989
<BONDS>                                     23,180,803
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        22,758
<OTHER-SE>                                 114,169,440
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               179,784,990
<SALES>                                     40,824,201
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            98,074,461
<CGS>                                       31,650,331
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               87,113,979
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               575,363
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,624,356
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             11,559,238
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,293,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,266,102
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,266,102
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32