<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,242
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,320
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,032
<PP&E>                                         168,073
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 429,352
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,166
<BONDS>                                        177,717
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                     178,915
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   429,352
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               187,911
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  111,837
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,397
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,676
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,179
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,770
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,409
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.88<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic earnings per share.
</FN>