<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GB HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>     0000912926
<NAME>    GB HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          12,890
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,149
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,946
<INVENTORY>                                      4,161
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,820
<PP&E>                                         313,814
<DEPRECIATION>                                 149,813
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 236,701
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,574
<BONDS>                                        195,439
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   236,701
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,699
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,990
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,212
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   567
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,897
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (9,967)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (3,734)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,233)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,233)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0