<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF IHOP CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,185
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,640
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,064
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,929
<PP&E>                                         115,166
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 300,478
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,547
<BONDS>                                        120,072
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            95
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,678
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   300,478
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,326
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,293
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,965
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,231
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,190
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,370
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,820
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,820
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34