<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
1996 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-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         115,893
<SECURITIES>                                    38,069
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,103
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,947
<INVENTORY>                                      2,895
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,195
<PP&E>                                         445,854
<DEPRECIATION>                                  70,440
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 577,237
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,121
<BONDS>                                        315,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           106
<OTHER-SE>                                     118,476
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   577,237
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               313,830
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  189,122<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,086<F2>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,507
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,248
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,231
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,017
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,017
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>THIS AMOUNT IS THE SUM OF CASINO, ROOMS, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, AND OTHER OPERATING
EXPENSES UNDER COSTS AND EXPENSES IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR
THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, LESS THE PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL
RECEIVABLES INCLUDED THEREIN.
<F2>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN CASINO AND ROOMS UNDER COSTS AND EXPENSES IN THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</FN>