<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SODAK GAMING, INC.'S FORM 10-K AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,942
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,697
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,560
<INVENTORY>                                     22,294
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,111
<PP&E>                                          68,010
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,271
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 165,156
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,540
<BONDS>                                         23,452
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            23
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,775
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   165,156
<SALES>                                         61,683
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               137,578
<CGS>                                           48,302
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  137,801
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   882
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    382
<INCOME-TAX>                                       958
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (576)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (3,131)
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,707)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.16)