<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MARCH 31,
1996 10-Q OF ARGOSY GAMING COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           28129
<SECURITIES>                                      1918
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1281
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 40519
<PP&E>                                          302390
<DEPRECIATION>                                   39314
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  344925
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            35826
<BONDS>                                         186000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           243
<OTHER-SE>                                       96250
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    344925
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 62689
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    60777
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4211
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2209)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (867)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1047)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1047)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.04)