<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BOOMTOWN,
INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                      20,783,332
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,489,670
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,943,962
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            30,946,592
<PP&E>                                     187,401,510
<DEPRECIATION>                              40,035,688
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             207,598,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       31,748,402
<BONDS>                                    101,167,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   103,774,076
<OTHER-SE>                                (34,253,718)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               207,598,787
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           116,352,141
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               61,143,987
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            51,421,647
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,955,699
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,750,354)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (762,062)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (988,292)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0