<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                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          12,781                  12,781
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,032                  26,032
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,288                  15,288
<INVENTORY>                                      3,882                   3,882
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                33,910                  33,910
<PP&E>                                         316,165                 316,165
<DEPRECIATION>                                 157,772                 157,772
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 225,067                 225,067
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,757                  43,757
<BONDS>                                        192,934                 192,934
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (13,340)                (13,340)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   225,067                 225,067
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,720                 205,178
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,422                 180,094
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,582                  29,489
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   668                   1,562
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,275                  15,381
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,227)                (21,348)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                   2,417
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,227)                (23,765)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,227)                (23,765)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0