<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JUNE 30,
1996 10Q OF ARGOSY GAMING COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           63890
<SECURITIES>                                      1884
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1510
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 82355
<PP&E>                                          330348
<DEPRECIATION>                                   46185
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  509897
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            31974
<BONDS>                                         350000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           243
<OTHER-SE>                                       91429
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    509897
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                125954
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   123939
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               11546
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8891)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4978)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (890)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (5868)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.24)