<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND 
ON PAGE 37 AND 38 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000898660
<NAME> STATION CASINOS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          42,522
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,852
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,473
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                69,369
<PP&E>                                       1,175,915
<DEPRECIATION>                                 106,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,234,118
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          185,266
<BONDS>                                        383,066
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    103,500
<COMMON>                                           353
<OTHER-SE>                                     194,995
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,234,118
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               583,515
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  307,096
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                44,589
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,698
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,378
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,615
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,763
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,518
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .18