<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CALIFORNIA
CULINARY ACADEMY, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                             457
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,703
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (377)
<INVENTORY>                                        254
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,280
<PP&E>                                          16,398
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (7,421)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  15,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,321
<BONDS>                                          2,124
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,355
<OTHER-SE>                                     (6,327)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    15,473
<SALES>                                          5,086
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,086
<CGS>                                              991
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,895
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    30
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (12)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    212
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                212
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       212
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06