<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           9,556
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,585
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,290
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,354
<PP&E>                                         149,751
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 395,422
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,112
<BONDS>                                        164,069
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            98
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,856
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   395,422
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                55,877
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   33,587
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,691
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,109
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,706
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,005
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,701
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,701
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47
<FN>
<F1> REPRESENTS BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE.
</FN>