<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 COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      10,301,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,352,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            16,132,000
<PP&E>                                      48,631,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (28,059,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              38,807,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,486,000
<BONDS>                                        867,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,050,000
<COMMON>                                     1,148,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,038,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                38,807,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            69,187,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               59,596,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             9,565,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             788,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (762,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (762,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (814,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.0