<ARTICLE>        5

<LEGEND>        THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
                SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
                STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC.
                FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 9,
                1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
                ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
                SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                               1
<PERIOD-START>                   OCT-26-1999
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                     MAY-09-1999
<CASH>                            36,728,464
<SECURITIES>                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                      9,502,811
<ALLOWANCES>                       1,263,030
<INVENTORY>                       32,394,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 110,044,263
<PP&E>                           669,087,765
<DEPRECIATION>                   351,433,388
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   468,086,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            139,040,887
<BONDS>                          386,421,455
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      0
<PREFERRED>                                0
<COMMON>                          49,446,839
<OTHER-SE>                      (178,647,562)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     468,086,692
<SALES>                          515,799,445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 539,975,747
<CGS>                            469,440,369
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    550,863,091
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                  57,714,388
<LOSS-PROVISION>                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                23,708,334
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  (10,887,344)
<INCOME-TAX>                               0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              (10,887,344)
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                     (10,887,344)
<EPS-BASIC>                          (0.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                          (0.22)