<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Statements of Income and the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0001046311
<NAME>  CHOICE HOTELS
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,365
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,262
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,394
<INVENTORY>                                        371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,630
<PP&E>                                          54,097
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,951
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 408,344
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,246
<BONDS>                                        283,678
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           604
<OTHER-SE>                                      56,583
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   408,344
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                77,606
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,955
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   555
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,218
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,085
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,133
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,133
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .35