<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CASINO
AMERICA, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          58,034
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,241
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,867
<PP&E>                                         340,002
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,112
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 527,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,975
<BONDS>                                        374,417
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           233
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,619
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   527,010
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               155,159
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   74,499
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                70,715
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,644
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,618)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       422
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,040)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,253)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,293)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.66)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.66)