<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SANTA ANITA
OPERATING COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0000313749
<NAME>  SANTA ANITA OPERATING
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      11,188,000
<SECURITIES>                                 2,522,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,113,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            18,015,000
<PP&E>                                      44,201,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (24,968,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              39,370,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,675,000
<BONDS>                                      1,735,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,127,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,083,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                39,370,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            70,333,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               60,028,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,638,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             401,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,266,000
<INCOME-TAX>                               (2,000,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,266,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,266,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0