<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 1996 ANNUAL
REPORT OF ARGOSY GAMING COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           38284
<SECURITIES>                                       126
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1918
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1271
<INVENTORY>                                       1069
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 58841
<PP&E>                                          361544
<DEPRECIATION>                                   47064
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  532159
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            44966
<BONDS>                                         350000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           243
<OTHER-SE>                                       72458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    532159
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                244817
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   255568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               34842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (41358)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (14418)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (24839)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (890)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (24839)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.02)