<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR 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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          14,466                  14,466
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,727                  25,727
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,756                  15,756
<INVENTORY>                                      3,997                   3,997
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,931                  35,931
<PP&E>                                         315,157                 315,157
<DEPRECIATION>                                 153,324                 153,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 229,548                 229,548
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,380                  41,380
<BONDS>                                        195,437                 195,437
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                      (9,113)                 (9,113)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   229,548                 229,548
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,472                 133,171
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,603                 116,593
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,787                  22,999
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   327                     894
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,909                   9,806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (7,154)                (17,121)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,151                   2,417
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (13,305)                (19,538)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (13,305)                (19,538)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0