<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000899629 <NAME> MARK CENTERS TRUST <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 1,149 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,737 <ALLOWANCES> 773 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 310,185 <DEPRECIATION> 80,720 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 255,974 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 183,718 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9 <OTHER-SE> 49,218 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 255,974 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 33,126 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 22,872 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,533 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,118) <DISCONTINUED> (12) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,130) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.13) <EPS-DILUTED> (.13)