<ARTICLE>    5
<LEGEND>     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
             SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
             EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
             STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC.
             FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 6,
             2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
             ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
             SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                              1
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               OCT-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                  NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                    AUG-06-2000
<CASH>                            5,096,871
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                    11,628,418
<ALLOWANCES>                      1,220,132
<INVENTORY>                      34,688,497
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 65,646,319
<PP&E>                          588,901,223
<DEPRECIATION>                  335,799,620
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  343,465,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           110,934,039
<BONDS>                         334,927,268
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                         50,625,410
<OTHER-SE>                     (209,963,239)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    343,465,391
<SALES>                         633,620,084
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                653,293,359
<CGS>                           576,744,891
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   666,953,903
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                 61,604,451
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               28,604,561
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 (13,660,544)
<INCOME-TAX>                        436,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             (14,096,544)
<DISCONTINUED>                      190,290
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                    (13,331,163)
<EPS-BASIC>                           (0.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                         (0.26)