<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> 1000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          17,336                  17,336
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,628                  23,628
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,521                  14,521
<INVENTORY>                                      3,619                   3,619
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,851                  35,851
<PP&E>                                         318,280                 318,280
<DEPRECIATION>                                 167,435                 167,435
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 220,960                 220,960
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,746                  54,746
<BONDS>                                        190,424                 190,424
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (25,647)                (25,647)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   220,960                 220,960
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,481                 130,678
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   54,655                 106,478
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,295                  16,822
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   909                   1,559
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,373                  10,831
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,751)                 (5,012)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,751)                 (5,012)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    310                     310
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,441)                 (4,702)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0