<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 1ST QUARTER
10Q 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           50830
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     2827
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1485
<INVENTORY>                                        987
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 64171
<PP&E>                                          377787
<DEPRECIATION>                                   54444
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  541875
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            65612
<BONDS>                                         350000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           243
<OTHER-SE>                                       63441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    541875
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 82495
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    80534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               11902
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8499)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (9017)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (9017)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.37)