<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 AND RELATED NOTES TO SAID
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-25-1998
<CASH>                                          47,628
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,171
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                71,523
<PP&E>                                         396,524
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,241
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 620,986
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,962
<BONDS>                                        429,009<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           239
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,870
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   620,986
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               323,829
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  139,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               141,960
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,693
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,777
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,491
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,286
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,286
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .18
<FN>
<F1>Includes Bonds payable of $315 million, $75 million plus other long-term 
debt. 
</FN>